THEORIES OF SOCIAL CLASS AND STRATIFICATION – II

<< THEORIES OF CLASS AND STRATIFICATION – I:Critical evaluation

THEORIES OF CLASS AND SOCIAL STRATIFICATION – III >>

Introduction to Sociology SOC101

Lesson 23

THEORIES OF SOCIAL CLASS AND STRATIFICATION II

Max Weber (1864-1920) built his approach to stratification on the analysis developed by Marx, but he

modified and elaborated it. Like Marx, Weber regarded society as characterized by conflicts over power and

resources. Yet where Marx saw polarized class relations and economic issues at the heart of all conflict,

Weber developed a more complex, multidimensional view of society.

Social stratification is not simply a matter of class, according to Weber, but is also shaped by two other

aspects: status and power. These three overlapping elements of stratification produce an enormous number

of possible positions (inequality) within society, rather than the rigid bipolar model, which Marx proposed.

According to Weber class divisions derive not only from control or lack of control of the means of

production, but from economic differences, which have nothing directly to do with property. Such

resources include especially the skills and credentials, or qualifications, which affect the types of job people,

are able to obtain.

Weber believed that an individual's market position strongly influences his or her `life chances'. The market

positions (capacities) people have in terms of the skills they bring to the labor market as employees, explains

the rewards they will receive. Where people have good market capacity they will have very good life chances:

these chances include income, perks, and pensions together with less tangible benefits such as security of

job, pleasant working environment and considerable autonomy at work.

Those in managerial or professional occupations earn more, and have more favorable conditions of work,

for example, than people in blue-collar jobs. The qualifications they possess, such as degrees, diplomas and

the skills they have acquired, make them more `marketable' than others without such qualifications.

Managers of corporations control the means of production although they do not own them. If managers can

control property for their own benefit awarding themselves huge bonuses and magnificent perks it

makes no practical difference that they do not own the property that they so generously use for their own

benefit.

Status in Weber's theory refers to differences between social groups in the social honor or prestige they are

accorded by others. Presently status is being expressed through people's styles of life. Markers and symbols

of status--such as housing, dress, manner of speech, occupation all help to shape an individual's social

standing in the eyes of others. People sharing the same status form a community in which there is a sense

of shared identity.

While Marx believed that status distinctions are the result of class divisions in society, Weber argued that

status often varies independently of class divisions. Possession of wealth normally tends to confer high

status, but there are many exceptions. Olympic gold medalists, for example, may not own property, yet they

may have very high prestige. Property and prestige is not one way street: although property can bring

prestige, prestige can also bring property.

Power, the third element of social class, is the ability to control others, even against their wishes. Weber

agreed with Marx that property is a major source of power, but he added that it is not the only source.

With time, industrial societies witness the growth of the bureaucratic state. This expansion of government

and other types of formal organizations means that power gains importance in the stratification system.

Party formation is an important aspect of power, and can influence stratification independently of class and

status. Party defines a group of individuals who work together because they have common backgrounds,

aims or interests. Party can be influenced by class but can also influence the economic circumstance of party

members and thereby their class. Party membership cuts across class differences. There are parties based

on religious affiliations and nationalist ideals and may include the `haves' and `have-nots'. There could also

Introduction to Sociology SOC101

be groups possessing effective political power without economic leverage (military, trade union). Therefore

inequality could there due to political power.

In Weberian perspective society can be divided in 2+ classes as below:

Upper class

UPPER CLASS

Upper middle class

Middle-middle class

MIDDLE CLASS

Lower middle class

Skilled manual workers

Semi-skilled workers.

WORKING CLASS

Unskilled manual workers.

The poor

THE POOR

Weber's theory comes closer to explaining the dynamics of stratification in modern societies.

Weber anticipated the proliferation of classes, with a new class of white-collar employees, administrators,

technicians and civil servants, who are growing in number and importance.

Property relations are important (Marx) but the market position and marketability is decisive in determining

an individual's class position.

Weber rejected Marx's view that the workers (or employees) have nothing but their labor to sell to the

highest bidder. The reality is that:

Workers possess skills.

The distribution of skills can be controlled (keep it scarce).

Increase skill marketability.

Comparative picture of the conflict approach by Marx and Weber

Marx

Weber

Relationship to means of

Focused more on the market

production is all important.

position of those in employment.

Increasing polarity

Growth of white-collar class that

between classes and

would mitigate against the

revolution.

collapse of capitalism.

Class all embracing

Separate political status factors

fact of life.

to come into play.

Table of Contents: