lesson 7 Stratification part 1

Lesson 7Part 1 : 

Lesson 7Part 1 Corresponding Chapters – 10 and 11 Corresponding Quiz #7 Corresponding Exam #3 Additional reading assignment – Pp. 317 – 322 – modernization and dependency theory Pp. 339 – How sweet it Isn’t

Lesson 7 Goals : 

Lesson 7 Goals To understand the idea of stratification To be able to comprehend different ideas about what determines one’s status within society To examine the issue of poverty

Stratification : 

Stratification A system by which a society ranks categories of people within a hierarchy. What is it that determines your status and place within society?

What determines our status in society? : 

What determines our status in society? Ascription – you are born with this status. Your families position in society passed onto you. The Caste system in India is an extreme example Achievement – your status is determined by your own personal ability and achievement (meritocracy)

What determines our status in society? : 

What determines our status in society? No society is entirely based on achievement or ascription – all societies are a mixture Social mobility – refers to the ability to change positions within a societies hierarchy. This is easier in a society that emphasizes achieved status.

Karl Marx: Class and Conflict : 

Karl Marx: Class and Conflict Capitalism creates great inequality in power and wealth Most people have one of two relationships with the means of production Own productive property “bourgeoisie” or “capitalists” Work for others “proletariat” oppression would drive the working majority to organize and overthrow capitalism

Slide 7: 

FRAGMENTATION OF THE CAPITALIST CLASS WE CAN ALL HAVE A PIECE OF THE PIE THESE DAYS WHITE-COLLAR JOBS AND A GENERAL RISING OF THE STANDARD OF LIVING INCREASE IN UNIONS BETTER WAGES AND BENEFITS ACCESS TO LEGAL PROTECTION COURTS ARE SUPPORTING WORKERS’ CLAIMS HOWEVER, MAJOR CLASS DIFFERENCES REMAIN

Pressure on the middle-class : 

Pressure on the middle-class Taxes, jobs (Walmart v. Ford). Concentration of wealth is a trend. If the middle-class shrinks enough would Marx again be relevant?

Marx in perspective : 

Marx in perspective Was Marx correct in a way? “naked” capitalism does not last (a free-market system without “controls” is unacceptable in the long run). Socialist revolutions of a sort (adjustments to the system) – FDR and the “New Deal”. LBJ and the “war on poverty”. The rise of unions. The U.S. does not have a “naked” capitalistic economy (elements of socialism).

Marx – summary : 

Marx – summary The economic superstructure determines ones place within the social hierarchy Economics alone determines your status within society.

Max Weber : 

Max Weber 1. Economics is one aspect 2. Power – local political power (school board, mayor, police, pres. vs. ceo) 3. Prestige – clergy, teacher. It is more than economics alone that determines our status in society. You can become vested (gain benefit) from the system in other ways as well.

Bourdieu : 

Bourdieu Capital (what we possess and use) determines our status in society. 1. Economic capital – Marx/Weber include this element as well 2. Social capital – “Networking” – it’s not always what you know, but who you know 3. Cultural capital – Knowing how to act appropriately in your environment/use the tools