The main purpose of this paper is to examine the organic theory and conflict theory of sociology and to understand how social change is examined and explained. The contributions of the organic-theorists Emile Durkheim and Max Weber will be discussed at length. In opposition, the theory of conflict by Karl Marx will be referenced. Part 2 of this article discusses some of the social issues that arose when the former-Soviet Union evolved from a communist state to a more democratic state. Durkheim's social cohesion paradigms of moral education and division of labor are used to illustrate the changes in post-communist evolution. Part 3 of this article is a survey to determine if there are any differences between American students and Russian students. Morality is an important part of a market economy. Russia's transition from a communist economy to a market economy has had an impact on the sociopolitical position on moral values. By surveying three groups of college students: (1) American students studying in the United States, (2) Russian students studying in Russia, and (3) Russian students studying in the United States, the results will be compared to each group to determine significant correlations, if any.
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