Explain how Karl Marx and Max Weber had different interpretations of how the social stratification system in society operates. What are the strengths and limitations of each explanation?
What will be an ideal response?
1. Marx – social stratification is explained by class conflict, especially conflict between the proletariat (i.e., wage workers) and the bourgeoisie (i.e., owners of capital).
2. Weber – social stratification is explained by differences in social status, which includes, but is not limited to, one’s social class standing.
3. Marx’s strength is that he emphasizes the importance of social class standing in a capitalist economic system (some argue he insightfully anticipated the rise of globalization), but his work does not account for nuances of social status.
4. Weber’s strength is that he does describe the nuances of social status. He elaborates beyond social class membership to understand how social stratification operates in society (e.g., status and its relation to gender, social class, group memberships, etc.).
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a. True b. False Indicate whether the statement is true or false