Final answer:
Gerhard Lenski classifies societies based on technological advances, but societal evolution is complex and could also be based on other criteria such as social structures, economies, or cultural practices. The theories of sociologists like Marx and Weber remain relevant and applicable to modern social events like the Occupy movement, proving their durability under modern scrutiny.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sociologists Gerhard and Jean Lenski theorize that social change and evolution are substantially influenced by technological advances. Gerhard Lenski is known for classifying societies based on their technological progress, suggesting that societal development moves through stages based on that society's ability to harness and use technology. Lenski's theory could be considered somewhat aligned with Social Darwinism, as it postulates that technological innovation drives a form of social and cultural evolution, paralleling the biological evolution proposed by Charles Darwin.
While Gerhard Lenski's approach emphasizes technology as a central criterion for societal classification, other criteria might include social structures, political systems, economies, or cultural practices. For example, the theories of Karl Marx focus on economic systems and class struggles, while Max Weber considers the intersection of economics, religion, and bureaucracy as pivotal in understanding social change. Their theories can be used to analyze modern social events, like the Occupy movement, which reflects Marx's ideas on class conflict and Weber's ideas on the role of ideology and economic structures in social transformation.
Given the dynamism and complexity of social evolution, multiple criteria, including technology, economics, political structures, and cultural practices, should be considered when analyzing societal progress and change. The work of sociologists such as Durkheim, Marx, and Weber continues to offer valuable insights into modern societal structures and are reviewed and debated in contemporary sociological discussions.