Theoretical models Social class




1 theoretical models

1.1 marxist
1.2 weberian
1.3 great british class survey
1.4 common three-stratum model

1.4.1 upper class
1.4.2 middle class
1.4.3 lower class


1.5 in united states





theoretical models

definitions of social classes reflect number of sociological perspectives, informed anthropology, economics, psychology , sociology. major perspectives historically have been marxism , structural functionalism. common stratum model of class divides society simple hierarchy of working class, middle class , upper class. within academia, 2 broad schools of definitions emerge: aligned 20th-century sociological stratum models of class society , aligned 19th-century historical materialist economic models of marxists , anarchists.


another distinction can drawn between analytical concepts of social class, such marxist , weberian traditions, more empirical traditions such socio-economic status approach, notes correlation of income, education , wealth social outcomes without implying particular theory of social structure.


marxist



—vladimir lenin, great beginning on june 1919

for marx, class combination of objective , subjective factors. objectively, class shares common relationship means of production. subjectively, members have perception ( class consciousness ) of similarity , common interest. class consciousness not awareness of 1 s own class interest set of shared views regarding how society should organized legally, culturally, socially , politically. these class relations reproduced through time.


in marxist theory, class structure of capitalist mode of production characterized conflict between 2 main classes: bourgeoisie, capitalists own means of production , larger proletariat (or working class ) must sell own labour power (wage labour). fundamental economic structure of work , property, state of inequality normalized , reproduced through cultural ideology.


marxists explain history of civilized societies in terms of war of classes between control production , produce goods or services in society. in marxist view of capitalism, conflict between capitalists (bourgeoisie) , wage-workers (the proletariat). marxists, class antagonism rooted in situation control on social production entails control on class produces goods—in capitalism exploitation of workers bourgeoisie.


furthermore, in countries modern civilisation has become developed, new class of petty bourgeois has been formed . industrial army of workmen, under command of capitalist, requires, real army, officers (managers) , sergeants (foremen, over-lookers) who, while work being done, command in name of capitalist .


marx makes argument that, bourgeoisie reach point of wealth accumulation, hold enough power dominant class shape political institutions , society according own interests. marx goes on claim non-elite class, owing large numbers, have power overthrow elite , create equal society.


in communist manifesto, marx himself argued goal of proletariat displace capitalist system socialism, changing social relationships underpinning class system , developing future communist society in which: free development of each condition free development of . mark beginning of classless society in human needs rather profit motive production. in society democratic control , production use, there no class, no state , no need financial , banking institutions , money.


weberian

max weber formulated three-component theory of stratification saw social class emerging interplay between class , status , power . weber believed class position determined person s relationship means of production, while status or stand emerged estimations of honor or prestige.


weber derived many of key concepts on social stratification examining social structure of many countries. noted contrary marx s theories, stratification based on more ownership of capital. weber pointed out members of aristocracy lack economic wealth yet might nevertheless have political power. likewise in europe, many wealthy jewish families in lack prestige , honor, because member of pariah group jews.



class: person s economic position in society. weber differs marx in not see supreme factor in stratification. weber noted how managers of corporations or industries control firms not own.
status: person s prestige, social honor or popularity in society. weber noted political power not rooted in capital value solely, in 1 s status. poets , saints, example, can possess immense influence on society little economic worth.
power: person s ability way despite resistance of others. example, individuals in state jobs, such employee of federal bureau of investigation, or member of united states congress, may hold little property or status, still hold immense power.

great british class survey

on april 2, 2013, results of survey conducted bbc lab uk developed in collaboration academic experts , slated published in journal sociology published online. results released based on survey of 160,000 residents of united kingdom of whom lived in england , described white . class defined , measured according amount , kind of economic, cultural , social resources reported. economic capital defined income , assets; cultural capital amount , type of cultural interests , activities; , social capital quantity , social status of friends, family , personal , business contacts. theoretical framework developed pierre bourdieu first published theory of social distinction in 1979.


common three-stratum model

today, concepts of social class assume 3 general categories: wealthy , powerful upper class owns , controls means of production; middle class of professional workers, small business owners , low-level managers; , lower class, rely on low-paying wage jobs livelihood , experience poverty.


upper class



a symbolic image of 3 orders of feudal society in europe prior french revolution, shows rural third estate carrying clergy , nobility


the upper class social class composed of rich, well-born, powerful, or combination of those. wield greatest political power. in countries, wealth alone sufficient allow entry upper class. in others, people born or marry aristocratic bloodlines considered members of upper class , gain great wealth through commercial activity looked down upon aristocracy nouveau riche. in united kingdom, example, upper classes aristocracy , royalty, wealth playing less important role in class status. many aristocratic peerages or titles have seats attached them, holder of title (e.g. earl of bristol) , family being custodians of house, not owners. many of these require high expenditures, wealth typically needed. many aristocratic peerages , homes parts of estates, owned , run title holder moneys generated land, rents or other sources of wealth. however, in united states there no aristocracy or royalty, upper class status belongs extremely wealthy, so-called super-rich , though there tendency in united states old family wealth down on have earned money in business, struggle between new money , old money.


the upper class contained within richest 1 or 2 percent of population. members of upper class born , distinguished immense wealth passed generation generation in form of estates.


middle class

the middle class contested of 3 categories, broad group of people in contemporary society fall socio-economically between lower , upper classes. 1 example of contest of term in united states middle class applied broadly , includes people elsewhere considered working class. middle-class workers called white-collar workers .


theorists such ralf dahrendorf have noted tendency toward enlarged middle class in modern western societies, particularly in relation necessity of educated work force in technological economies. perspectives concerning globalization , neocolonialism, such dependency theory, suggest due shift of low-level labour developing nations , third world.


lower class

in united states lowest stratum of working class, underclass, lives in urban areas low-quality civil services




lower class (occasionally described working class) employed in low-paying wage jobs little economic security. term lower class refers persons low income.


the working class separated employed lacking financial security (the working poor ) , underclass—those long-term unemployed and/or homeless, receiving welfare state. latter analogous marxist term lumpenproletariat . members of working class called blue-collar workers.


in united states

there 4 social classes described in america: upper class, middle class, working class , lower class. upper class typically earns above $250,000 per year; middle class earns between $48,000 , $249,000 per year; working class $48,000; , lower class receives minimal income not enough sustain themselves. these large income gaps thought 1 of several root causes of class warfare. while income large indicator of class, general wealth , accumulated assets plays large role in class position because things have value can exchanged money , grant power.








Comments