Capitalism and Stratification Two Key Concepts in Sociology

Capitalism and Stratification Two Key Concepts in Sociology

19 thc • INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION • Problems: pollution, overcrowding, disease, exploitation of workers. • See: Growth of Towns and Cities

Tools of the Sociologist • CONCEPTS • THEORIES • PARADIGMS

THEORY AND Concepts • The relationship between theory and concepts in sociology is as follows:

• a. Concepts are the building blocks of sociology

• b. From concepts sociologists develop propositions about how the social world works

• c. Formalized propositions are hypotheses…ie. Social stratification, social inequality

• d. Hypotheses that stand the test of time are raised to the level of theory…ie Marx’s theory of dialectical materialism

• E. Groups of theories of similar nature become PARADIGMS.

The Two Concepts • CAPITALISM DEFINED… • STRATIFICATION DEFINED

CONCEPTS • CAPITALISM-Economic system based upon social class standing

THREE Components OF CAPITALISM • 1. Private ownership of property • 2. Pursuit of personal profit (surplus value) • 3. Free competition and consumer sovereignty-laissez-faire (to let go)

Processes OF CAPITALISM • Capitalism is characterized by four main processes: 1. Systematic Production 2. Systematic consumption, 3. Systematic exchange-capital or money 4. Personal income and wealth accumulation.

Stratification defined • Set of relationships in terms of ranking and establishing other relationships • STRATIFICATION-Means of dividing people based upon economic and cultural characteristics

PARADIGMS • PARADIGMS EACH PROVIDE UNIQUE INSIGHT INTO… CAPITALISM AND STATIFICATION. 1. Structural Functionalism-Durkheim 2. Symbolic Interactionism-Weber 3. Conflict Theory-Marx

Paradigms and Politics • STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISMconservative • SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM-liberal • CONFLICT THEORY-radical

Political Spectrum • EXTREME RIGHT WING • =DICTATORSHIP • EXTREME LEFT WING • =TRUE COMMUNISM

Capitalism • Capitalism is the first system of stratification that is open. (class vs. caste) Individuals may carve out their own positions regardless of the State. • Provides at least, the illusion of meritocracy and achievement.

Stratification Systems in History 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Slavery. Estate. Caste- Class Communist

Social class • One’s Class standing is based upon: 1. 2. 3. 4. income, wealth, education occupation.

th 19 c Classical Theories • E. Durkheim-See Stratification as functional • Max Weber –Stratification is about rationalisation • Karl Marx-Stratification is controlled by elites

Paradigms • Paradigm -set of explicit and implicit assumptions that gives an idea meaning and direction.

Different Lenses on Society • . Each perspective has different assumptions about: 1. the nature of mankind 2. causes of human behaviour

Theoretical perspectives on capitalism and stratification 1. Structural Functional-Right wing conservative status quo-stratification inevitable and necessary 2. Symbolic Interaction-liberal-critical, pessimistic. . 3. Conflict/Feminist-Left wing radical--question authority

Structural-functionalism 1. Structural-functionalism holds that society is ‘normative’ order 2. People’s behaviour is organized around social institutions

Structural Functionalism 3. Institutions are comprised of rules and norms 4. Functionalists focus on social integration 5. SF theorists tend to ask questions about the functional and dysfunctional elements of human behaviour and social institutions.

Stratification according to Functionalism Davis and Moore (1958). “Some Principles of Stratification” 1. Inequality is natural 2. A society of equal rewards is impossible 3. Stratification is necessary and functional

Symbolic interactionism 1. Symbolic interactionism views human behaviour is the result of individual interpretation of symbols 2. Focus on social context and social interaction.

Symbolic interactionism 3. People perceive and construct their social reality 4. Tends to ask questions about how individuals make sense of their social world

SI- Weber on Stratification 1. Social Stratification is about status difference 2. Social Stratification is part of human values generated by the `Spirit of Capitalism’ 3. Capitalistic ethos-hard work, rationality, individualism part of formal rationality.

CONFLICT THEORY • Differences in wealth, status and power between classes, ARE not natural. • They are socially constructed by owners of the means of production

Marx Quote • It is not the consciousness of men that determines their existence, but their social existence that determines their consciousness.

Karl Marx Material Conflict Approach • "The History of all hitherto existing societies is the history of class struggle“ • SEE MARX’S DAS KAPITAL (1860)

Conflict Theory : False Consciousness • The bourgeoisie maintain false consciousness. • FOUR SLOGANS INCLUDE:

Marx’s Modes of Production 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. TRIBAL ANCIENT COMMUNAL FEUDAL CAPITALISTIC SOCIALISTIC

To Marx, 1. Capitalism is a mode of production-not the first, not the last… 2. Capitalism-generates stratification as class system. 3. Capitalism is first mode of production in which pure class divisions exist. 4. Potential for proletarian revolution? ? ?

SUMMARY • CAPITALISM AND STRATIFICATION are two key concepts in sociology • Various analyses of the concepts are central in the three main paradigms in sociology • Functionalism, Symbolic Interaction and Conflict Theory.