Chapter 9

1. Chapter 9 Concepts and Theories of Stratification

2. Chapter Outline • Conceptions of Social Class • Marx’s Concept of Class • Weber’s Three Dimensions of Stratification • Status Inconsistency • Social Mobility • Marx and the Classless Society • The Functionalist Theory of Stratification • The Social Evolution Theory of Stratification • The Conflict Theory of Stratification

3. Plato’s Conception Of Social Class • There were two classes in ancient Greek society: rich and poor. • Plato believed they were locked in eternal conflict.

4. Aristotle’s Conception Of Social Class • Divided Greek society into three classes: • Rapacious upper class • Servile lower class • Worthy middle class • The middle class, having all virtues and all failings in moderation, could be trusted to see after the common good.

5. Marx’s Concept Of Class • Marx saw the history of human societies as a history of one ruling class being overthrown by a new one. • Identified four classes in ancient Rome—patricians, knights, plebians,and slaves. • Marx expected modern capitalist societies to consist of only two classes, the bourgeosie and the proletariat.

6. The Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat Classes • Defined in terms of their relationship to the means of production. • The bourgeoisie owns the means of production. • The proletariat does not own such means and must sell his or her labor to the bourgeoisie.

7. Weber’s Three Dimensions Of Stratification • Based stratification on three independent factors: • Class (property) • Status (prestige) • Party (power)

8. Mosca: Three-step “proof” that societies must be stratified • Human societies cannot exist without political organization. • Whenever there is political organization (or society), there must be inequalities in power. • Because human nature is self-serving, people with more power will use it to exploit others and gain material advantages.

9. Theoretical Approaches to Stratification • Functionalist theory – explains that because some workers are much less replaceable than others, rewards will be different. • Evolutionary theory - explainshow specialization arises in societies. • Conflict theory - stratification will reflect the outcome of conflict among groups in a society.