Social class as a feature of social inequality Flashcards
What did Marx predict would happen to the number of middle-class?
They would gradually merge into the bourgeoisie or proletariat as society polarised the two main classes
Difference between the Weberian view of class status and power and the Marxist view
For Weber, class status and power do not always go together while for Marxists they do
Example of how status groups competing with each other for status (Weber)
Workers in a trade union asking for a pay rise are likely to compare their wage to that of another group as they don’t want to earn less rather than seeking an overall redistribution of wealth
What was Weber right about?
The growth in middle-class occupations
How many classes did Weber identify?
Four
Similarities between Marx and Weber’s views
Both are conflict approaches where class is based on economic factors
Example of how a person’s position on the ladder involves not only income but also status
A priest has a low income but considerable status as a trusted member of community
How have many class studies been gender blind?
It was assumed that class categorisation was based on the head of the household, meaning the male breadwinner
What have recent class studies done to be less gender blind?
Having each individual classified seperately or having joint classifications where you look at the situation of both partners together
Why do some sociologists defend the gender blind method?
They argue the that women’s paid work is insignificant to that of men and gender is less important than class
How do feminists criticize the gender blind approach to studying class?
They point out that in many societies there are households where the woman’s income is essential to maintaining living standards or where she is the only breadwinner
