Socio-Economic Class
Sociology: AQA GCSE, topic 5.1.3
The Marxist Perspective on Social Class
Socio-economic status is the social standing or class of an individual or group and is often measured as a combination of education, income and occupation.
Socio-economic classes
- Society is divided into different socio-economic classes.
- Socio-economic status is the social standing or class of an individual or group and is often measured as a combination of education, income and occupation.
- Sociologists have different opinions on socio-economic status dependent on the particular perspective they adopt.
Marxist perspectives
- Karl Marx lived and wrote during the 19th century and many of his ideas are heavily influenced by the society of that time.
- Marx identified two main classes in capitalist society:
- The bourgeoisie (the middle classes).
- The proletariat (the working classes).
Means of production
- Membership of a particular class is determined by economic factors, such as ownership and non-ownership of the means of production (e.g. factories).
- The wealthy bourgeoisie own the means of production and the proletariat sell their labour (or work for) the bourgeoisie in order to survive.
Alienation
- The proletariat experience alienation under capitalism because they lack control over production and the products of their labour.
- In other words, they don’t directly earn money from the things they produce but are provided with a wage from their bourgeoisie employers.
Other classes
- Other classes include:
- The lumpenproletariat (drop-outs and criminals).
- The petite bourgeoisie, such as small business owners.
The Marxist Perspective on Social Class
Marx identified two main classes in capitalist society: the bourgeoisie (the middle classes) and the proletariat (the working classes).
Opposing interests
- The two main classes have opposing interests:
- The bourgeoisie want to increase their profits.
- The proletariat want higher wages.
- If the bourgeoisie raise wages, their profits will suffer, so they continue to exploit the proletariat, leading to conflict.
Ruling class ideology
- The position of the bourgeoisie is justified by the ruling class ideology (capitalism).
- This ideology uses ideas like competition and the free market which disguise the reality of the exploitation.
False class consciousness
- The ruling class ideology leads to false class consciousness among the proletariat.
- In other words, they are unaware of the true nature of social relationships under capitalism and that they are victims of exploitation (i.e. their employers make all the money).
Changes
- According to Marx, over time, the bourgeoisie would get smaller and much richer while the petite bourgeoisie would be unable to compete and become proletariat.
Revolution
- Marx argued that while the bourgeoisie became richer and smaller, the proletariat would get bigger and poorer and eventually rebel.
- After the revolution, the means of production would become communally owned (owned by everyone), resulting in a classless society.
Test yourself on Socio-Economic Class
According to Marxism, which social class would small business owners fall into?