Evaluation

• • Critics argue that Marx’s model of class is too simplistic. Weber argues that status and power differences are also important sources of inequality. For example, power is not always a consequence of wealth. Additionally, feminists argue that gender is more important source of inequality than social class. Ethnicity is also an important division.

  Marx’s ‘two-class’ model is outdated. In today’s society the proletarian as Marx sees them can be divided into sub-classes, such as skilled worker and unskilled worker.
• EVALUATION OF GRAMSCI’S IDEAS

  • Gramsci is accused of over-emphasising the role of ideas and under emphasising the role of both state coercion and economic factors. For example, workers may see through ruling-class ideology and wish to overthrow capitalism, but be reluctant to try because the fear state repression or unemployment. They tolerate capitalism, simply because they feel they have no choice.
• Gramsci (2). Sociologists working within a Marxists framework have adopted a similar approach to Gramsci. For example Paul Willis, describes the working-class lads he studied as seeing through the school’s ideology to recognise meritocracy was a myth and the system was ‘not for them’. This shows an element of duel class consciousness.