Like Marx, Weber argues class division is shown in the exploitive relationship between capitalists and workers. Differences possessed between; are capitalists are ‘interested in maximising profits by increasing exploitation (paying lower wages)’ whilst workers are ‘interested in improving circumstances through better pay/working conditions’.
Unlike sociologist Karl Marx, whose perspective was, power is determined by class and how the individual fits into the pattern of modern capitalist society. Weber branches off and discusses it’s also a formation of social groups, which isn’t solely based on individuals market situations but is a result of race, gender, ethnicity or religion. Development of status groups is based on a community of people that share a common lifestyle and the status hierarchy is determined by distribution of social honour, which is based on the level of education an individual possesses, prestige their job affiliates with and individual’s race. Social groups conflicts with its alternative, which causes inequalities among a group due to discrimination. For example, in the 20th century, Aboriginals weren’t allowed to drink in the same pubs as a white man due to their race. They were separated from the ‘powerful’ status group in society.
This is still relevant today because prejudice amongst different groups still exists, for instance ‘perpetrators of September 11th terrorist attack carried it out against a particular status group (Americans)’ irrespective of the class position they held. To eliminate this, a global acceptance of all social groups is needed.
Weber defines parties as ‘groups which are specifically concerned with influencing policies and making decisions in the interest of their membership, they are concerned with the acquisition of social power and exercising it’. They influence actions of others and deter them from acting in a way that is deemed unacceptable.
In conclusion, Weber’s influential assessment of the distribution of power within society focuses on three interacting social stratifications; class, social groups and parties. These make evident social differences and inequalities possessed amongst communities such as exploitation/prejudice and also display social order retained by society.
References
Book
John Germov & Marilyn Poole, Public Sociology: An introduction to Australian society,
Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 2007, p.30.p.31.p.32.p.218.p.219.p.220.p.221.
Max Weber, “Class, Status and Party”, in From Max Weber, ed. H. Gerth and C. Wright Mills (1970), p.180.p.181.p.182.p.183.p.184.p.194.
Websites
Phil Bartle, Community Empowerment: Maw Weber, 2 August 2007, ttp://www.scn.org/cmp/modules/soc-webr.htm, [4 April 2009]
(Van Krieken et. al., 2006, p. 222)
John Germov & Marilyn Poole, Public Sociology: An introduction to Australian society,Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 2007, p.32.
John Germov & Marilyn Poole, Public Sociology: An introduction to Australian society,
Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 2007, p.218.
5. Max Weber, “Class, Status and Party”, in From Max Weber, ed. H. Gerth and C. Wright Mills (1970), p.181..p.182.
