DIMENSIONS
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION OF CLASS- Class is a pre Marxian
idea. Aristotle divided classes into three types namely upper ,
middle, poor. This term was first used by Saint Simon as
synonym of estates.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CLASSES- Classes are arranged in a
vertical order. There is an idea of permanent class interest
among the members of classes. Idea of class consciousness and
solidarity is present among the members. Thus endorses to the
idea of social distance and class distinction get expressed in
form of social inequalities and social boundaries.
MARX’S DEFINITION- It’s a social group showing some
relationship with the means of production. Hence there exist
different antagonistic classes across history.
WEBER’S DEFINITION- An economic interest group and a
function of market place but defying Marx’s who sees class as a
group lacking in self consciousness.
ROLF DAHRENDORF’S –Class will become more heterogonous
with time and working class will get further divided into unskilled ,semi
skilled, skilled.
W.L. WARNER’S IDEA- Classes vary in consistency ,depends on weight
age given to ascription or achievement. I n traditional societies ,
Societies were more consistent but less mobile became of high
, ascriptive associations . Whereas modern societies provide fluidity in
classes owing to achievement orientation.
CONCLUSION- Hence, classes stratify societies and to certain kind of
sociological question on poverty, exclusion, deviance, social
inequalities, social mobility, social change, status ,power, life chances
and lifestyles. With increasing economic development there is a
persistent effort to distribute wealth. Estate duties and taxes on capital
gains. Therefore there is equality of living standard ,growth of middle
classes. But to Marx disappointment, it seems classes are here to stay
for a long time to come in one or the other.
STATUS- In traditional societies it was attached to birth hence was
ascriptive. Status group is a Weberian concept. As a social group which
is awarded similar amount of social honor and therefore share the
same status situation.
Status group are more closed and try to influence their idea of
superiority or difference by maintaining status boundaries and
imposing certain qualifies on the other people, which Weber called
social closure.
Today it is also a question of legitimacy that is
accorded to a person’s status by the way of his deeds. With rise of civil
societies status is getting attached with nobility, transparency of his
deeds. More philanthropic are respected more. Thus status group
today is dynamic system of social stratification which needs to be
continuosly proven by deeds and is less ascriptive as it way in the past.
GENDER- Gender distinction are found in economic kinship. The United
Nations Report 1980 declares that women constitute half the World’s
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION OF CLASS- Class is a pre Marxian
idea. Aristotle divided classes into three types namely upper ,
middle, poor. This term was first used by Saint Simon as
synonym of estates.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CLASSES- Classes are arranged in a
vertical order. There is an idea of permanent class interest
among the members of classes. Idea of class consciousness and
solidarity is present among the members. Thus endorses to the
idea of social distance and class distinction get expressed in
form of social inequalities and social boundaries.
MARX’S DEFINITION- It’s a social group showing some
relationship with the means of production. Hence there exist
different antagonistic classes across history.
WEBER’S DEFINITION- An economic interest group and a
function of market place but defying Marx’s who sees class as a
group lacking in self consciousness.
ROLF DAHRENDORF’S –Class will become more heterogonous
with time and working class will get further divided into unskilled ,semi
skilled, skilled.
W.L. WARNER’S IDEA- Classes vary in consistency ,depends on weight
age given to ascription or achievement. I n traditional societies ,
Societies were more consistent but less mobile became of high
, ascriptive associations . Whereas modern societies provide fluidity in
classes owing to achievement orientation.
CONCLUSION- Hence, classes stratify societies and to certain kind of
sociological question on poverty, exclusion, deviance, social
inequalities, social mobility, social change, status ,power, life chances
and lifestyles. With increasing economic development there is a
persistent effort to distribute wealth. Estate duties and taxes on capital
gains. Therefore there is equality of living standard ,growth of middle
classes. But to Marx disappointment, it seems classes are here to stay
for a long time to come in one or the other.
STATUS- In traditional societies it was attached to birth hence was
ascriptive. Status group is a Weberian concept. As a social group which
is awarded similar amount of social honor and therefore share the
same status situation.
Status group are more closed and try to influence their idea of
superiority or difference by maintaining status boundaries and
imposing certain qualifies on the other people, which Weber called
social closure.
Today it is also a question of legitimacy that is
accorded to a person’s status by the way of his deeds. With rise of civil
societies status is getting attached with nobility, transparency of his
deeds. More philanthropic are respected more. Thus status group
today is dynamic system of social stratification which needs to be
continuosly proven by deeds and is less ascriptive as it way in the past.
GENDER- Gender distinction are found in economic kinship. The United
Nations Report 1980 declares that women constitute half the World’s
