Final answer:
Max Weber was a prominent sociologist who proposed a controversial theory connecting Protestantism to the creation of capitalism. Weber argued that societies are stratified based on multiple systems of power, including socioeconomic status, prestige, and political party connections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Max Weber was a prominent sociologist who established a sociology department in Germany at the University of Munich. He is known for his book, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, in which he proposed a controversial theory that the beliefs of many Protestants, especially Calvinists, led to the creation of capitalism. Weber argued that societies are stratified based on multiple overlapping systems of power, including socioeconomic status, prestige, and political party connections.
Similar to Marx, Weber believed that inequalities in class, status, and power cause conflict in society. However, Weber also highlighted the impacts of education, race, gender, and social mobility on people's reactions to inequality. He emphasized that status is based on noneconomic factors such as education, kinship, and religion.