What is modernity? What can Marx’s work on capitalism tell us about modernity?

In this essay I am going to look at modernity in relation to the work of Marx. I will look at his work on capitalism, including social class inequality, the bourgeoisie and proletariat, historical materialism, alienation and social change and how it contributes to the study and understanding of modernity.

Modernity is seen as the modern age and is often identified with rationality, industrialisation, disenchantment and scientific belief (Collins Sociology Dictionary), which is said to cause social change, loss of social stability and is believed to threaten the solidarity within society. However modernity is used by sociologists such as Marx to explain modern society….(short extract)