5 - Neo-Weberians

• Goldthrope (1970)


  Considers employment, relationships, conditions of work and life chances into his classification of class. This is seen as more realistic.

  However, feminists would argue he ignores the separate earning potentials of men and women.
• Barron and Norris (1976)


  There is a dual labour market:

  • Primary market - ruling/middle class (good conditions, pay and unstructured careers)
  • Secondary market - working class (0 hour contract, long hours, no control)

  However, they ignore that women and POC are often working class and men dominate the ruling class.
• Giddens (2012)


  Middle class have a recognised skill set (educational, professional and socially elevated) whilst working class are seen as 'disposable' (low-skilled and easy to replace, especially with technology).
• Rex and Tomlinson (1979)


  Focus on ethnic minorities as lack party/power due to low class backgrounds and racism. They highlight institutional racism and lack of representation causing a 'black underclass' and creating tension between races.