8.2 Theories Of Stratification In Modern Societies

Question 1

Means of Production

Answer 1

The means whereby the production of material goods are carried on in a society, including not just technology but also the social relations between producers

Question 2

Bourgeoisie

Answer 2

People who own companies, land, or stocks (shares) and use these to generate economic returns

Question 3

Proletariat

Answer 3

People who sell their labour for wages, according to Marx.

• According to Marx, the relationship between classes is exploitative

Question 4

Marx + Capitalist

Answer 4

Marx believed a capitalist system would result in increasing class divide until the working class overthrows the capitalism system and replaces it with a classless society

Question 5

Communism

Answer 5

À social system based on everyone owning the means of production and sharing in the wealth it produces

Question 6

Weber + Class Divisions

Answer 6

According to Weber, class divisions derive from both one’s relationship to the control of the means of production as well as economic differences that are unrelated to property, such as skills and credentials

Question 7

Status

Answer 7

The social honour or prestige a particular group is accorded by other member of a society

Status groups normally display distinct styles of life — patterns of behaviour that the members of a group follow

Question 8

Weber + Class

Answer 8

He believed that class can be understood as more of an objective measure, compared to status (which) depends on people’s subjective evaluations of social differences

Question 9

Weber + How Social classes Differ

Answer 9

Weber argued that social classes also differ with respect to their:

• Power
• Ability to enact change
• Command of ressources
• Make decisions

Question 10

Kingsley Daivs and Wilbert E. Moore

Answer 10

They argued that social stratification and social inequality are functional because they ensure that the most qualified people, attracted by the rewards society bestows, will fill the roles that are most important to a smoothly functioning society

Question 11

Erik Olin Wright

Answer 11

Wright incorporated concepts form Marx and Weber to classify 3 dimensions of control over ressources:

1. Control over investments or money capital
2. Control over the physical means of production (lands/factories/offices)
3. Control over labor power

Question 12

Contradictory Class Locations

Answer 12

Positions in the class structure, particularly routine white-collar and lower managerial jobs, that share characteristics with the class positions both above and below them

Question 13

2 Factors That Differentiate Class Locations

Answer 13

• The Relationship to Authority
• The Possession of Skills or Expertise

Question 14

The Relationship to Authority

Answer 14

Many middle-class workers enjoy relationships to authority that are more privileged than those of the working class

Question 15

The Possession of Skills or Expertise

Answer 15

Middle-class employees possessing skills that are in demand in the labour market earn a higher wage in the capitalist system