Explanations of class inequalities

Explanations of class inequalities

1. Functionalist, Class inequalities are functional in a meritocratic society

   • Durkheim
     • Class stratification is functional, ascription leads to conflict
   • Davies and Moore
     • Motivation. Jobs uniqueness. Scarcity of personnel
   • Parsons
     • Hierarchical order and ranking. Ranking based on consensus. Personal qualities, achievement and possession

2. New Right, class inequalities are a result of an ability distribution in a meritocracy

   • Saunders
     • Inequality promotes economic growth- trickle down theory. Genetically inherited ability
   • Murray
     • Under class have dependency culture. Welfare state has caused this

3. Marxism, class inequalities are a result of capitalism

   • Marx
     • Infra structure, super structure. Ruling class ideology and false class consciousness
   • Westerguaard
     • Top 10% massive increase in wealth, lowest no rise. Widening the gap
   • Scott
     • Social closure, Old Boy Network and intermarriage

4. Neo Marxism, class inequalities are polarising under capitalism

   • Gramsci
     • Hegemony, global working class and global ruling class
   • Wright
     • Middle class occupy a contradictory class position
   • Braverman
     • Proletarianisation, middle class jobs becoming deskilled

5. Marxist Feminists, Class inequalities can not be assessed alone, women suffer double disadvantage due to capitalism and patriarchy

   • Beechy
     • Reserve army of labour
   • Benston
     • Women are a stabilising force
   • Hartmann
     • Dual systems theory, patriarchy and capitalism

6. Weberian, looking at class inequalities alone is too simplistic class groups are fragmented due to status and party differences

   • Weber
     • Class, status and party. 4 classes. Status symbols
   • Zweig
     • Embourgeoisement differences are disappearing manual work becomes middle class
   • Goldthorpe and Lockwood
     • Fragmentation, new working class

7. Post Modern, class is dead/ irrelevant

   • Beck
     • Risk society, managing risks. Risks no longer related to class memberships
   • Furlong and Cartmel
     • Trains and Cars, Class origins does not determine your class destination
   • Pakulski and Waters
     • Consumer choices