The book offered to the reader explores the main points of the development of sociology in the late XIX - early XX centuries and their connection with the trends in the development of economic science. The author attempts to synthesize the sociological ideas of K. Marx and the American sociologist L. Ward, the founder of the psychological direction in sociology. The work presents criticism of Ward's system; the author not only critically analyzes the views of the "father of sociology" in the United States, but also makes significant amendments to his doctrine and argumentation. The introduction presents an analysis of the logical development of general sociology from its inception in the ancient era to the 19th century.