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Weber’s Theory of Social Class

by Alan S. Cajes, PhD

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Weber

A social structure has different dimensions, namely, class, status, and power. These dimensions are key factors that cause social differences or social stratification. Social class refers to people who have similar economic interests. There are four social classes that serve as the means for people belonging to such class to gain a position in life or to attain satisfactions. Status is a recognized level of social esteem that can be ranked as high or low based on the status of other people. It can be positive or negative in its evaluation and consequences to people. Power is understood as organized power through a party. A party as organized power can refer to a political party, labor organization, business council, NGOs or professional association. A party holds and exerts influence in society.

The Weberian concept of a social class is a reaction and an extension to the Marxist theory of a social class that is mainly defined in economic terms. For Weber, social classes are not just defined by the presence or absence of private property, and the means and factors of production. People are not simply rich or poor, exploited or exploiter, proletariat or bourgeoisie. Weber did not remove the Marxist concept of social class from the equation. He recognized it, and then extended it. 

For Max Weber (1864-1920), a social class implies a group of people having similar economic needs, expectations, and interests. There are four social classes, namely, the privileged class (people who own property and have education), the intelligentsia (those with no property), the petty bourgeoisie (the farmers, shopkeepers, professionals), and the working class.

Class differences are factors in stratification in the sense that one can distinguish a higher class from a lower class. Similar to classes, status or the “effective claim to social esteem” can also be ranked as high or low based on the status of other people. It can be positive or negative in its evaluation and consequences to people. Although status could cut across social classes, it is usually the people who have high status who also belong to the higher classes. Moreover, organized power or party is a factor in social stratification. Just like status, party can cut across social classes. However, it is usually the privileged class who hold organized power.

Levels of social class, status, and party may differ from one person to another or from one society to another, but economic power (held by the privileged class) usually goes with organized power and high esteem or status. Social stratification should therefore be analyzed using the shades or dimensions of a social structure not just purely on Marxist economics.

Reference: 

Weber, Max, 1978, Economy and Society (2 vols) (edited by Guenther Roth and Claus Wittich) Berkeley: University of California Press.