The sociology in the form of independent science appeared in the 19th century. It was promoted by active formation of civil society in the developed European states and the USA. Its study required new methods.
Mark out four causes of sociology. The first of them – economic. The industrial revolution which took place in the 17-18th centuries led to the fact that the beginning of the 19th century was marked by the statement of the market relations in the field of economy. During feudalism era a basis of the economic relations between various classes was the noneconomic dependence, the relations of the landowner and the serf can be an example of what. At the market relations all participants are among themselves equal.
The second reason – political. The beginning of the 19th century – time when in the USA and the states of Western Europe the democratic forms of government which cornerstone the Constitution is are established. Closer to the middle of the 19th century the institute of general parliamentary elections is organized, various political movements and also parties are in addition formed. Members of society are allocated with the equal rights, become his full-fledged citizens.
The third reason – gnoseological, also called scientific and informative. The development of a social thought which was carried out through many centuries is one of factors of emergence of new science – sociology. At the time of antiquity later, in the Middle Ages, many thinkers the important ideas and concepts expressed. During Modern times and also in the age of Enlightenment, the social ideas received freedom from religious dogmas, important concepts of society, the individual, the state were allocated. Such thinkers as F. Bekon, Saint-Simone, Zh. - Zh. Russo, A. Quetelet are predecessors of sociology. Their works were generalized by O. Comte later. The fourth reason – social. The described economic, gnoseological and political factors were one of pushes to appearance of civil society in the USA and Western Europe. As a result there were new public processes, the mobility of people increased (both social, and geographical), the public structure began to change. The description of these changes also required new scientific approaches.