Thursday, October 24, 2019
Weber and Marx: Inequality
Marx vs. Weber in todayââ¬â¢s society Marx and Weber have not lived within the same social conditions we are facing today, and one question that may arise is, whose approach to social class and inequality is more compatible with todayââ¬â¢s society? Taking a closer look at Weberââ¬â¢s analogy, and the concept of ââ¬Å"life chancesâ⬠, one may attempt to conclude that his approach is more flexible and fitting in todayââ¬â¢s society. Weber offers a micro level analysis of inequality at the individualââ¬â¢s level, which makes his approach more versatile.Furthermore this approach can explain the changes in regards to class determination by the market situation over time through the concept of life chances. Marx is known for putting forth a theory of classes that is centered on economical grounds where ââ¬Å"society [â⬠¦] is [â⬠¦] splitting up into two great hostile camps [â⬠¦]: bourgeoisie and proletariat â⬠(Marx, 1978, p. 474). Belonging to either class will depend on whether you own the means of production or not; from this system stems inequality.Weber takes a step further then Marx, and discusses other social forces then economical one, that influences social class and inequality. Weber put central importance to the concept of power, ââ¬Å"the chance of a man or a number of men to realize their own will in a communal action even against the resistance of other who are participating in the actionâ⬠(Weber, 2003, p. 95). The way power is distributed creates ââ¬Å"three discrete but interrelated realms [classes, status groups and parties]â⬠(Weber, 2003, p. 94).These three dimensions in relation to power are used to explain inequality. Distribution of power among classes leads to unequal access to material resources since classes are ââ¬Å"purely economically determinedâ⬠(Weber, 2003, p. 99). As for status power, oneââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"social estimation of honorâ⬠(Weber, 2003, p. 99) determines the capac ity to exercise power upon those who view him or her as a superior. Class and Status power ââ¬Å"influence one another and they influence the legal order and are in turn influence by itâ⬠(Weber, 2003, p. 99).Parties on the other hand, focus on gaining social power that enables them to have influence on decision-making. From Marxââ¬â¢s Manifesto of the communist party (1978) one can concluded that the Bourgeois and the proletariat are mutually dependent on one another, but this does not make them equal in a capitalist society. Weber does agree that the capitalist society and the ââ¬Å"economy has a particularly determinative impact on the social order and powerâ⬠(Weber, 2003, p. 94). However Weber points out that individual still have agency and ââ¬Å"a relative autonomy to culture and politicsâ⬠(Weber, 2003, p. 94).Hence, the determination of class-situation by the market situation cannot be exclusive to Marx view based on the relationship to the means of pro duction. Weberââ¬â¢s puts forth a concept of ââ¬Å"life chancesâ⬠which entails that even the dominated still have a scoop of choices. In todayââ¬â¢s society, these choices have expanded and become more equal. For example, todayââ¬â¢s market is seen to be a knowledge-based market, where higher education and skill set is given more value. Those in lower classes also have a possibility to compete in the labour market since higher education is becoming more accessible to everyone.Weberââ¬â¢s approach gains versatility by looking at the role of social action and therefore takes into consideration an individualââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"rationally motivated adjustments of interestâ⬠(Weber, 2003, p. 97). Marxââ¬â¢s approach focuses too much on the economical conditions, and although it may still be relevant today economy, it fails to accurately predicted other dimensions of life that have influenced social class and inequality. A shift to a knowledge base labour market an d increase in higher education accessibility has improved individuals ââ¬Å"life chanceâ⬠.However upon putting forth the argument that individuals have more choices now then before, one may questions the true intention of these choices. It could be, as Marx may suggest, an illusion of choice set forth by the dominant classes to prevent a revolution from the dominated class. Reference: Marx, K. and Friedrich E. (1978). Manifestation of the Communist Party. The Marx-Engels Reader, (2nd ed), edited by Robert C. Tuker. 473-483. Weber, M. (2003) Class, Status, Party. Social Theory: the Roots and Branches, edited by Peter Kivisto. 95-100.
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