Sociology Handout

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Hand Out for Sociology – Stratification and Class (chapter6) (All quotes on the next two pages will you find in Sociology – Making sense of society 2nd edition)

By Peter Packroff •

The equalities in society are not a new phenomenon. But it has been explained in various kind of religions that it is determent. Like the Church in the 16c-17c explained the equality by “The Will of God” - and if you tried to change this order it would be seen as an ungodly act (Death). Again, it was not before the urbanisation and industrialisation that it was looked at with “sciences eyes” in form of sociology. Main differences between Marx and Weber (on this point)

Marx was a journalist and politically active, and most of his work was occupied dealing with the working class. He believed in the revolution as the key to a new order in Society. As Weber he realised that there were more classes, but saw two dominating “monopole classes”; Working Class and Upper Class. He also believed that the rich working class had lasted that long because of the working class’ poor condition. It was too poor to rise and was held down. He also believed that the bourgeois (class) would face the same destiny as the working class, as the upper class would “eat up” what was left of the finances. A new order in society (Marxism) has been tried in practice many places in the world. But it has in most cases been very hard to uphold, and the authority have often had to use all power possible to uphold its position - as seen in China. Also a kind of Neo- Marxism is being practices by Robert Mugabe (or what he is called).

Weber kept his work on a scientific basis only, and did not believe in the revolution as a solution. He believed that a Capitalist system could develop through the rising of democracy, unions and human rights. He returned to Germany in 1904 after a stay in USA that had a great influence on his research.

Marx believed that the class party was determined by the class – where Weber sees this as two different things and that you find mobility within the classes. Both of them were working all their life to full end their Social Analysis, but both died without succeeding. Nevertheless they have become building stones for all further studies. Which class?

Giddens: Upper-class Middle Working

Capital ownership Class Educational ownership Class Labour power

(and the upper-class subdivided as jet set rich (musicians, sport stars etc.), Landowners (often born to wealth) and Entrepreneual rich (those who have build up their wealth often from risky investments).

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