1. Weber

2. Recap What is the basis of inequality, according to: Functionalists? Marxists?

3. Weber / Weberian theory How did Marx define class? What are the problems with this? For Weber, class is more complex: An individual’s position in the class structure is linked to their: Market situation

4. Weber’s theory.He argued that power and stratification is not just based on the economic relationships people enter into (Marx) but on two other key factors Status situationPower –Party (political power).

5. Class (Market Situation) Class is concerned with production and ownership of resources, BUT It is also concerned with occupational skills – a person’s class is based on what they bring to the ‘marketplace’. Those who own the most marketable resources, such as skills gained through education,will be able to acquire more income and access to life chances.

6. How do the following illustrate Weber’s notion of ‘market situation’?

7. Status Status is abut a person’s position; or social standing. Status groups have a sense of identity and common purpose (a community). Some occupations have high status (e.g.?) BUT Status can also derive from other sources of power such as gender, race and religion. Status is also linked to consumption styles – how people spend their money. It’s very rare that high-status groups allow wealth alone to b sufficient grounds for entry into their group (refer to social closure).

8. How do the following illustrate Weber’s idea of ‘status groups’?

9. Can you think of an example of A person who has high wealth and high status? A person who has high wealth and low status? A person who has high status and low wealth?

10. Party Parties are groups or organisations such as political parties, trade unions, or pressure groups where people come together to either compete for power or influence those with it. (Can you think of any more?) Membership of these can influence the status a person has in the community.

11. How do the following illustrate Weber’s idea of ‘party’?

12. Applying Weber’s theory Weber’s analysis helps explain why some groups may share economic circumstances but have more or less status than others; for example, due to gender or ethnic differences. Weber saw gender and ethnicity as status differences which have separate and distinct effects on life-chances compared with social class.

13. Contemporary example Gate Gourmet supplies in-flight meals for airlines. In 2005, their workers went on strike, many of whom are from the Sikh community around Heathrow. Discuss the Gate Gourmet workers in terms of Weber’s categories of class, status and party.

14. Task Can you think of one similarity and three differences between Weber and Marx? Can you think of 3 criticisms of Weber?