Page 140 - DSOC401_SOCIOLOGICAL_THOUGHT_ENGLISH

Sociological Thought Sukanya Das, Lovely Professional University

notes unit-22: concept of status, class and power

contents
Objectives
Introduction
22.1 Subject Matter
22.2 Life Chances and Class Situation
22.3 Summary
22.4 Keywords
22.5 Review Questions
22.6 Further Readings

objectives

After studying this unit, the students will be able to:
y Understand the concept of social class,
y Understand the emphasis of Weber on the role of trivial property, power and status.

introduction

Karl Marx only emphasized on financial factor for the classification of status. Besides single thought of
Marx, Weber considers many other factors important for the classification of status in which besides
economic, social and political are also important.

22.1 subject matter

Although the concept of social class of Max Weber is basically based on financial basis. Then also you
accepts more and more interaction in economic and social factors and therefore in the study of social
class, you gives them proper place or importance. According to Max Weber Social class is a part of
Social order. To understand your thinking we have to understand briefly the discussion of ‘social
order’ presented by him.

What is social order?

The discussion of max Weber of Social order starts with the concept of ‘Power’. Social order depends
on power. Max Weber referred the word ‘Power ‘ for “That chance which a person or some persons
for the fulfillment of their will in any gathered work attains in spite of objection of other people
participating in that work.”. In other words, the person or persons which have power can easily attain
their goal as compared to those people who does not have power. But according to max Weber, there
is a difference between power attained on the economic basis and normal power. Financial power not
only establishes it in financial area but also provide social prestige. Person wants to attain power not
only to become wealthy: he wants to attain power so that he will get respect in the society.

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