Introduction
Oftentimes, people find themselves asking why the society is stratified. Of course the society is stratifies by age or sex, but there are many other variables that remain which results to a stratification. The society is stratified in a sense where there is a divide among the people in the society that in turn influences many life processes and economic values. There are people who rise in power and become more influential in many aspects. They are the ones whose activities matter more. They are the ones whose decisions impact the society in greater intensity despite their small number. On the other hand, there are people whose voices and struggle remain in the dark. They are the ones whose decisions merely affect economic development. They are the ones whose activities may be accessories to the main objectives set by people in the higher ranks. There is an undefined hierarchy that continues to happen in the society. As such, this paper will discuss social stratification and Max Weber’s statement regarding it in his work: “The Distribution of Power within the Political Community: Class, Status, Party” from the book “Economy and Society”. The passage is shown below:
Therefore all groups having an interest in the status order react with special sharpness precisely against the pretensions of mere economic acquisition. In most cases [,] they react the more vigorously the more they feel threatened. As to the general effect of the status order only one consequence can be stated, but it is a very important one: the hindrance of the free development of the market. (Weber, 1968, p. 936)
Body
Social stratification is an effect of the system by which the society categorizes or ranks people in levels or hierarchy. As such, there are groups of people that have a greater status than the rest or wealthier than the remaining groups (Moffit, n.d.). Furthermore, theories are present that tries to explain the nature of stratification. Earlier, sociologists proposed that social stratification is a result of an evolutionary process by which the fittest become successful and prevail while the rest who are not fit remains in the outskirts of the hierarchy (Mondal, 2015).While some argue that social stratification is beneficial in some ways and is crucial for the functionality of a society, many also argues that social stratification induces a situation wherein the benefits are provided to a group which in turns leave another group deprived in a sense (Kerbo, 2011).
In Weber’s work, he identified that there are three determinants of social stratification. As such he also explained that these three have effects within their areas and in the other areas. This means that social stratification is complex and is determined by many variables. That is, no single variable such as power or class dictates social stratification. Weber viewed social stratification as multidimensional. Status or honor, class or inequality in the economy, and power or party are all dimensions that interacts with within the society. Moreover, this paper will explain the passage in the context of Weber’s work which means that it is important that there is first an understanding of his theory (Weber, 1968).
Power, according to Weber, is essentially the chance for individuals to realize that their decisions and will result in social action, despite the resistance of other people. This power is similar with the power to have an effect on the economy, but not necessarily identical to it. Man has the natural tendency to desire for power to be able to become economically powerful since the two are related at some point. This desire for power is likewise motivated by social honor that may be derived from it. The legal order in the society has a role in power. It has the ability to make individuals hold power, but does not ensure that it will be ensured. This power is important since it determines the economic power of a class. The possession of power will provide individuals control over social resources which may include lands, social respect, capital or knowledge. As such, parties or a group secure to keep these resources within themselves to maintain power. If one has control over oil, for example, you have the ability to affect policies and market behaviors unlike others who have no control of the resource. Similarly, parties try to keep these resources in their hand, their ownership of these resources puts them at a higher rank in a social strata. Class interacts with power. Class is a concept that may be interpreted as the result of the inequality in the economy brought about by the differences in the power of individuals to affect economic processes. The differences in the power that individuals hold result to some groups to have differences in the resources available to them. Possession of these resources makes one powerful and in a higher class than another. Likewise, social action pertains to the actions that people under specific classes in the direction of their interest (Weber, 1968).
The passage’s first statement, “therefore all groups having an interest in the status order react with special sharpness precisely against the pretensions of mere economic acquisition” clearly illustrates that there is a group with the same interest. That is, they have similar interest which arises from having the same degrees of power. The statement likewise indicates that people in social classes have the desire to put power in their hands. The reaction against mere economic acquisitions is also an indication that economic resources such as capital matters and that they are looking for ways by which these resources will have little effect on the social order in their favor. As such, in the part where “they react the more vigorously the more they feel threatened” means that as the people without economic acquisitions come into the realization that the decisions of those with more economic acquisitions matter more, they move forward to make social changes that may put their best interest a priority. As such, when Weber stated that the development of the market is not free due to the status order, he could have pertained to the unequal influences that those in the higher strata has. Their power had not only made them control resources, but had allowed them to control the market and everything that depends on it such as employees. The passage essentially is an illustration of the effects of power with classes, and the social change that those who fall in the outskirts of the strata wish to have. However, as Weber stated, the power that belongs to man allows him to have control despite the resistance of many (Weber, 1968).
The implications of this social stratification are evident in the society, but may be subtle for some. Social stratification brings in social disparity which may be felt in the judicial system. The huge differences in the power to influence legal orders allow some to get away with unjust deeds. They are relevant to the society, per se. They are important directors of the economy. As such, their free movement is among the many things that systems consider to be of value. This social stratification also induces imbalance in the wealth of a region. This likewise results to privileges being placed on some while oppression may become rampant. In education, for example, the social stratification and the inability of social change for those in the lower ranks to take effect makes some incapable of acquiring education. This deprives them the opportunity to acquire knowledge—a resource that is considered to influence social change.
Conclusion
Weber’s analysis of social stratification is applicable in today’s society. The society is run by economic acquisitions, whether we like it or not and those who have the upper hand continue to exercise power for their best interest. Perhaps it’s about time that social stratification should be abolished and social change be directed towards the good of the general population rather than for the good of those in power.
References
Kerbo, H. (2011). Social Stratification and Inequality (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Moffitt, K. (n.d.). Social Stratification: Definition, Theories & Examples. Retrieved April 7, 2016, from http://study.com/academy/lesson/social-stratification-definition-theories-examples.html
Mondal, P. (2015). Classical Theories of Social Stratification. Retrieved April 7, 2016, from http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/sociology/classical-theories-of-social-stratification/35099/
Weber, M. (1968). Economy and Society: An Outline of Interpretive Sociology. New York: Bedminster Press.
