Weberian

• Dimension of stratification: Social class

  Weber agreed that there was a basic economic division between the property owners and those who sold their labour for wages, however he also argued that there was a further division between these 2 groups. In capitalist societies there are 4 main social classes: 

  • the propertied upper class (big business owners)
  • Property-less white collar workers
  • Petty bourgeoisie (owners of small businesses)
  • Manual working class (poorest market situation, as they have no qualifications.
• Dimension of stratification: Status:

  • Weber suggested that in some circumstances, people with a common status situation may form a stronger group identity. Status refers to the distribution of social honour.
  • Weber argued that while social class may be relatively unimportant for many people as a source of identity – people are still very aware of their status and tend to identify with others of a similar status.
• Dimension of stratification: Party

  • Weber defined parties as groups of people who were concerned with exercising power or influencing decision making.
  • parties are much broader than conventional political parties. Parties may include trade unions or pressure groups.
  • Some parties may also represent specific status groups.