Sociological theory developed in nineteenth-century Europe

Social forces have had a profound impact on sociological theory over time, including political forces, economic systems, feminism, urbanization and religious change (Ritzer, 2011). The enlightenment period brought major changes in the philosophical thought of European intellectuals especially among the French people where there was a challenge to long held beliefs on social life in the Seventeenth century. This paper explores the development of 19th century sociological theory in France. In the 19th century, the intellectual forces of the Romantic Movement and idealism were the most visible (SCERT, 2011).