1d — Weberian explanations of social class inequalities

Question 1

Weber: multiple factors of inequality

Answer 1

2 class model = OVERSIMPLIFICATION
— Life chances influenced by 3: CLASS, STATUS, PARTY

fits in middle class groups better than Marx, who faces a boundary problem

Question 2

Class/market position according to Weber

Answer 2

social class = economic matter
ownership of productive property

many different varied market positions based on skill, qualifications, source and amount of income

same class experiences broadly similar life chances, but still much diversity

Question 3

Status according to Weber

Answer 3

degree of honour/prestige attached to social groups

members of a status group share common values, lifestyles, community, reinforced by STATUS SYMBOLS (e.g. stockbrokers and Porsches, skinheads and Docs)

social evaluation based on CONSUMPTION style rather than production/income

Question 4

Party according to Weber

Answer 4

exercise of power by pressure groups, political parties, trade unions, organised interest groups

political power does not equal economic wealth

power in modern society is concentrated in large bureaucracies than in ownership of means of production

e.g. physical/military power (Putin), religious power (Pope), sexual power (Valerie Hey)

Trade Union membership declined from 50% of workforce 1979 to 20% in 2018

Question 5

criticisms of Weber

Answer 5

MARX: overcomplicated, deemphasises similarities of working class which are important to recognise to UNITE. Overcomplicated nature makes it difficult to understand, gatekeeping class consciousness and revolution from working class.
Many people have matched dimensions (similar levels of class/status/power) so distinctions are unnecessary

Question 6

Barron and Norris Dual Labour Market theory

Answer 6

work sector consists of 2 sectors, primary and secondary

PRIMARY: secure, well-paid jobs, good prospects
SECONDARY: poor pay, insecurity, no ladder of promotion, gig economy, zero hour contracts

working class more likely secondary sector

inequality caused by DUAL LABOUR MARKET

Question 7

criticisms of Barron and Norris

Answer 7

Davis and Moore: people allocated to primary and secondary sector based on MERIT, so its fair

Question 8

social closure strategies PARKIN

Answer 8

EXCLUSION STRATEGY: groups anxious to protect privileges from new recruits so certain criteria used to restrict. E.g. elite private schools (Eton costs 37,000 a year, reccommendation, interview and test)
King and Smith Jack Wills culture maintains elite social groupings

USURPATION STRATEGY: less privileged groups try grab others’ privilege e.g. trade unions, strikes

Question 9

criticisms of Parkin

Answer 9

Marxists: fails to explain which groups end up with power, lacking structural analysis. Parkin offers no explanation of why social closure strategies happen

Question 10

Hutton: Divided society 40/30/30

Answer 10

1. DISADVANTAGED: Bottom 30% of unemployed, economically inactive,, part-timers, insecure employment.
2. MARGINALISED: middle 30% structurally insecure employment , part timers on contracts, zero hour contracts
3. PRIVILEGED: 40% tenured jobs, security, trade union agreements like teachers, doctors, lecturers

Question 11

criticisms of Hutton

Answer 11

fails to provide structural analysis, why is society like this? can it change?

Walby: lacks emphasis on intersection of gender (and ethnicity) — women of colour likely to be in bottom 2 30% categories