IntroductionKarl Marx (1818-1883) and Émile Durkheim (1858-1917) were sociologists who both existed in similar periods of the 19th and early 20th centuries, leading Marx and Durkheim to worry about similar effects and impacts within society (Appelrouth and Edles: 20, 77). Marx's main emphasis was on the class distinctions between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, the forces and relations of production, capital, surplus value, alienation, labor theory of value, exploitation and class consciousness (Appelrouth and Edles: 20). While Durkheim mainly focused on social facts, social solidarity – mechanical solidarity and organic solidarity, anomie, collective consciousness, rituals, symbols and collective representations (Appelrouth and Edles: 77). For the purposes of this essay, we will focus on the concerns that arose in Karl Marx and Émile Durkheim about the benefits and dangers of modern capitalism. Marx's and Durkheim's concepts are comparable in that Marx focuses on alienation and classes, which is similar to Durkheim's concepts of anomie and division of labor. The start of the industrial revolution and technological advancements can be seen as a key factor in the emergence of modern capitalism, as the economic system was based on private property, mass production and increasing profits, which resulted in a separation of people based on their class and social status. the division of labor, later giving rise to alienation and anomie. In this essay, I will explore Karl Marx and Émile Durkheim's assessment of the benefits and dangers associated with the rise of modern capitalism. Thanks to these two theorists and sociologists, we can analyze, discuss, compare, criticize and understand how modern capital... middle of paper ...... adapts to modern capitalism by increasing profits through labor. theory of value, while exploiting the proletariats. On the other hand, the proletariats are in danger, because they are alienated by mass production and the labor theory of value does not work in their favor. Durkheim considers the specialization of work to be effective until it is taken too far, resulting in a state of anomie. The division of labor can be considered beneficial to society because it allows mass production, increased profits, creativity and interests to be exploited among individuals, while preserving their human identity. At the same time, the division of labor can be considered dangerous, as excessive specialization leads to anomie. Through Marx and Durkheim, we can conclude that modern capitalism presents both benefits and dangers to individuals and societies in a capitalist economy..