Weber's Class Conflict Theory
Weber defined 'class' as having in common "a specific causal component of their life chances in so far as (2) this component is represented exclusively by economic interests in the possession of goods and opportunities for income, and (3) it is represented under the conditions of the commodity or labor market" (Kasler, 1988, p.15). Class position does not necessarily lead to class ideological stance or class-directed action. Communal class action will arise when the classes realize the motive and needs of the struggle. In these postulations, Weber was similar to Marx. He differed from Marx in supplementing the existence of a 'status group'. Status groups are classes that are linked together by a certain lifestyle and consumption pattern rather than on their specific place in society (such s 'bourgeoisie' or 'working man'), This consumption pattern accords them a certain status and causes these demarcated groups to structure differences between 'we' and the 'other'. There is alienation and a passive conflict characterized by the existence of social distance.
In a capitalist society, the economically up-and-coming individual may belong to this more 'privileged' status group, whilst, at the same time, an aristocratic and propertied owner may belong to that same group too although he may be penniless. Conflict may issue by people who are afraid of losing their status from their much-valued group.
Weber sees society as grouped not only into distinctive class settings but also into sub- and super- ordinate groupings and categories with conflicts occurring within these categories too. For instance not only does conflict (passive mostly) exist between bourgeoisie and working class as per classical Marxist perspective, but conflict may also exist within the particular layers of the status group with each striving to achieve and maintain his specific status within that group.
In American society,...
As mentioned earlier, Sellin placed emphasis on the cultural diversity that was found in a modern society, in which wile criminal law contains the crime norms of inappropriate and deviant behavior, the conduct norms of less powerful groups that reflect their own specific social situations would conflict with the crime norms mentioned earlier, leading to the inculcation of criminal and deviant behavior among the members of less dominant and
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Oppression of Class And Gender Class and gender are two separate but related concepts in the sociological analysis and understanding of inequality and oppression in society. A definition of class is "A group of individuals ranked together as possessing common characteristics; as, the different classes of society; the educated class; the lower classes." (Definition of class) According to the sociologist Max Weber class is defined in relation to the way that goods
Sociology Q’s 1. How is action different from mere behavior, according to Weber? Give examples. For Weber, action and behavior are different in the sense that behavior is a purely mechanistic or mechanical movement of the body. It does not take into consideration an “other”. Action on the other hand is more deliberate in that it takes into consideration the behaviors of others and anticipates their responses or is predicated upon their
Conflicts are natural. They are expected to arise in any interaction involving two or more individuals. No two people think, act or react in a similar manner. This variability offers the opportunity for a conflict to arise in any situation. Without conflict, life in organizations would be stagnant. The future of the organization would be jeopardized. Dissonance, or a need to find a better way of doing things, is often
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