Marx and Weber

• Marx- Relation to means of production

  • work = position
  • classes have opposing interests
  • involves exploitation
  • superstructure helps control via ideas
  • technology increases reserve labor

• Weber- Multidimensional

• SES

  • wealth
  • prestige
  • power
  • life chances
  • economic interests and values together both explain stratification

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According to your text’s description there never was a revolution of the proletariat as Marx had envisioned it because:

The capitalist class is not a unified class; some people can achieve upward mobility.

White collar jobs have increased the prestige of many people.

Standards of living have risen for many people.

Unions brought about better working conditions and wages.

Government regulations have supported many claims and rights for workers.

Nevertheless, major divisions remain. And recent economic trends (such as downsizing, deindustrialization, tax reforms that benefit the rich, and better access to the legal system by the wealthy and corporations are trends that have increased the gap between the very wealthy and the middle class and poor.