Capitalism%20and%20Stratification

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Capitalism and Stratification

• Two Key Concepts in Sociology

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19thc

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

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Tools of the Sociologist

• CONCEPTS
• THEORIES
• PARADIGMS

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THEORY AND Concepts

• The relationship between theory and concepts in
  sociology is as follows

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• a.      Concepts are the building blocks of
  sociology

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

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• c.      Formalized propositions are
  hypothesesie. Social stratification, social
  inequality

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• d.     Hypotheses that stand the test of time are
  raised to the level of theoryie Marxs theory of
  dialectical materialism

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

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The Two Concepts

• CAPITALISM DEFINED
• STRATIFICATION DEFINED

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CONCEPTS

• CAPITALISM-Economic system based upon social
  class standing

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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)

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Processes OF CAPITALISM

• Capitalism is characterized by four main
  processes
• Systematic Production
• Systematic consumption,
• Systematic exchange-capital or money
• Personal income and wealth accumulation.

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Stratification defined

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

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PARADIGMS

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

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Paradigms and Politics

• STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM-conservative
• SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM-liberal
• CONFLICT THEORY-radical

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Political Spectrum

• EXTREME RIGHT WING
• DICTATORSHIP
• EXTREME LEFT WING
• TRUE COMMUNISM

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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.

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Stratification Systems in History

1. Slavery-
2. Estate-
3. Caste-
4. Class
5. Communist

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Social class

• Ones Class standing is based upon
• income,
• wealth,
• education
• occupation.

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19th c Classical Theories

• E. Durkheim-See Stratification as functional
• Max Weber Stratification is about
  rationalisation
• Karl Marx-Stratification is controlled by elites

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Paradigms

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

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Different Lenses on Society

• . Each perspective has different assumptions
  about
• the nature of mankind
• causes of human behaviour

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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

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Structural-functionalism

1. Structural-functionalism holds that society is
   normative order
2. Peoples behaviour is organized around social
   institutions

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Structural Functionalism

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

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Stratification according to Functionalism

• Davis and Moore (1958). Some Principles of
  Stratification
• Inequality is natural
• A society of equal rewards is impossible
• Stratification is necessary and functional

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Symbolic interactionism

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

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Symbolic interactionism

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

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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.

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CONFLICT THEORY

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

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Marx Quote

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

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Karl MarxMaterial Conflict Approach

• "The History of all hitherto existing societies
  is the history of class struggle
• SEE MARXS DAS KAPITAL (1860)

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Conflict Theory False Consciousness

• The bourgeoisie maintain false consciousness.
• FOUR SLOGANS INCLUDE

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Marxs Modes of Production

1. TRIBAL
2. ANCIENT COMMUNAL
3. FEUDAL
4. CAPITALISTIC
5. SOCIALISTIC

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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???

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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.