SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
Key Study
Sociologist(s): Karl Marx
Title of study:
Perspective: Marxist
Summary:
1. Primitive communism
2. Ancient society
3. Feudal society
Capitalism – the most exploitative. Capitalism stratifies into 2 groups:
r/c = bourgeoise, oppressors, own means of production
w/c = proletariat, oppressed/exploited, own labour
As agriculture developed it produced surplus wealth and the accumulation
of private property.
The ruling class gained control of the means of production obliging others to
work for them – the subject class.
The power of the ruling class is rooted in its ownership of the means of
production. The ruling class justify its position as being natural and normal –
with ideas such as the free market
Capitalism was very unstable as its conflict lay in the interest of the subject
class whose labour was exploited and the ruling class who exploited that
labour. Ultimately, classes would polarise as the gap between the subject
class and ruling class work grow and differences be more extreme –
revolution and communism would be the remedy
Evaluation:
- Criticism – New Right and functionalist argue that capitalism is
beneficial for society and creates opportunities for social mobility
Key Study
Sociologist(s): Karl Marx
Title of study:
Perspective: Marxist
Summary:
1. Primitive communism
2. Ancient society
3. Feudal society
Capitalism – the most exploitative. Capitalism stratifies into 2 groups:
r/c = bourgeoise, oppressors, own means of production
w/c = proletariat, oppressed/exploited, own labour
As agriculture developed it produced surplus wealth and the accumulation
of private property.
The ruling class gained control of the means of production obliging others to
work for them – the subject class.
The power of the ruling class is rooted in its ownership of the means of
production. The ruling class justify its position as being natural and normal –
with ideas such as the free market
Capitalism was very unstable as its conflict lay in the interest of the subject
class whose labour was exploited and the ruling class who exploited that
labour. Ultimately, classes would polarise as the gap between the subject
class and ruling class work grow and differences be more extreme –
revolution and communism would be the remedy
Evaluation:
- Criticism – New Right and functionalist argue that capitalism is
beneficial for society and creates opportunities for social mobility
