SOCIAL CLASS IN THE UNITED STATES Brett Williams

SOCIAL CLASS IN THE UNITED STATES Brett Williams & Faith Stoddard

STATUS INCONSISTENCY Someone with a mixture of high and low ranks in the three dimensions of social class (property, prestige, and power) are status inconsistent. Gerard Lenski found that status inconsistent individuals tend to be more politically radical.

UPDATING MARX There are only 2 types of social classes based on person's relationship to means of production - capitalists and workers Wright modified to four types: 1) Capitalists - business owners, 2) Petty Bourgeoisie - small business owners, 3) Managers - who sell their own labor but still control employees, and 4) Workers - who sell labor to others

UPDATING WEBER Sociologists Joseph Kahl and Dennis Gilbert developed the sixtier model that portrays the class structure in capitalist cultures.

THE CAPITALIST CLASS 1% of the population Own the means of production (major media and entertainment outlets) "Old" and "new" money "Blue bloods" are old money capitalists who hold a higher status and prestige than the new rich. Many are philanthropic, motivated by guilt, fame or a sense of purpose to start charitable foundations.

UPPER MIDDLE CLASS 15% of the population The most education with all members having at least a bachelors degree. This position does not grant the same prestige, however they're still considered symbols of wealth and power in contemporary America.

LOWER MIDDLE CLASS 34% of the population Lower level management positions. There is an anticipation of moving up the social ladder. Higher prestige than the working class.

THE WORKING CLASS About 30% of U. S population Less education and lower incomes than lower middle class Jobs are less secure, more routine, and more closely supervised Biggest fear is losing job during recession because they only have high school diploma

THE WORKING POOR 16% of U. S. Population Unskilled, low-paying, temporary, and seasonal jobs More are high school dropouts, illiterate, and unlikely to vote Even though they work full time they still rely on donations and food stamps to get by

THE UNDERCLASS About 4% of U. S. population Little or no connection with the job market Do menial, low-paying and temporary work Rely on welfare, food stamps, and food pantries

SOCIAL CLASS IN THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY The Fords are the capitalists class The people who own a Ford agency are upper middle class A Ford salesperson is part of the lower middle class A mechanic who repairs the customer's car would be part of the working class The who "detail" the cars are part of the working poor There is no underclass

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