Priyamvada Ashok MhaddalkarAIR 13 · CSE 2021 · 217 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
Social stratification means the division of different social groups into layers which may or may not be hierarchical.
Body · points
- Karl Marx and Max Weber have immensely contributed to the understanding of social stratification through their theories.
Marx's view on stratification
Marx proposed a uniaxal stratification theory based on class.
According to Marx, the class of an individual depends on his relations with the means of production.
He divided society into two classes: haves and have nots.
In the capitalist society due to inherent contradictions, the haves (Bourgeoisie) make profit using the labour of the have nots (Proletariat).
As the system progresses, due to pauperization the Proletariat class will expand and society will be polarized.
Weber's Theory of Stratification
- Max Weber while drawing from Marx's theory proposes a trinitarian model
- Stratification occurs along 3 axes - class, status, power(party).
- Thus he steps away from Marx's economic determinism and says that even status-prestige and
political power play a role in determining the position of an individual in society.
- Weber argued that as the capitalist society progresses there will be increasing rationalization and this will lead to creation of middle class
Close · a summary
Thus, Weber modified Marx's stratification theory which was based only on class to make it a trinitarian model of stratification.