1. Social Class Today: Class rules What is Social Class?
Socialism and Capitalism
Sociological Perspectives on Poverty
Social Class

2. Outline What is social class? Max Weber’s view Karl Marx’s view
Causes of poverty
Conflict Perspective
Karl Marx
C. Wright Mills Power Elite
Social Stratification
Functionalist Perspective
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Capitalism and Socialism 2

3. What is social class? class/wealth power prestige
According to Max Weber: a large group of people who rank closely to one another in terms of wealth, power, and prestige.
class/wealth
power
prestige
Property and income minus debt
Ability to carry out one’s will despite the resistance of others
The level of regard or respect and individual or their position demands

4. Status consistent vs. Status inconsistent
Most people rank equally on all the measures of social class (status consistent) those who are not (status inconsistent) tend to experience frustration
class/wealth
power
prestige
Property and income minus debt
Ability to carry out one’s will despite the resistance of others
The level of regard or respect and individual or their position demand

5. What is social class?
According to Karl Marx: a system of “haves” and “have-nots” based on the means of production
2 classes: bourgeoisie (capitalists) and proletariat
Lawyer who works for a firm and clients
Independent cab driver who owns his taxi
1818 –1883

6. Causes of Poverty Conflict Perspective
According to Karl Marx the ruling class control the economic system for its own benefit and exploits and oppresses the masses
Karl Marx
German
Published Communist Manifesto in 1848

7. C. Wright Mills
Mills described the structure of power in the United States in his book The Power Elite.
According to Mills, the power elite are key people in three major institutions of modern society, government, military, and economy.

8. Power Elite
Political elite: highest political leaders, president, key cabinet members, close advisers.
The military elite: high-ranking military officials.
Economic elite: major corporate owners and directors
The power elite are a small group of people who control a disproportionate amount of wealth, privilege, and access to decision-making of global consequence

9. What is social stratification?
Institutionalized pattern of inequality
Some people get more access to resources than others
Reflecting inequalities in life chances based on membership in a group

10. Class Rules
Respect: It is essential that all students in class treat each other with respect. Learning can only take place in a positive environment and all students are expected to behave accordingly:
Side bar conversations and other distractions during class are unacceptable.
The consequences for distractions in class are losing all participation points (a deduction of 15 points from your grade).
The El Camino College faculty, staff, and administration are dedicated to maintaining an optimal learning environment. The standards of behavior as outlined above are essential to the maintenance of a quality college environment. Violation of classroom policies will lead to disciplinary action.   10

11. How has U. S. policy influenced social stratification
How has U.S. policy influenced social stratification? View: The Way We Live. Ups and Downs of Social Stratification

12. Discuss your answers in groups of 2-4

13. The American Dream-Rags to Riches
America is the land of opportunities, anyone who works hard enough can achieve anything and accomplish any goal.
Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Why?
This belief is called Horatio Alger myth: the belief that due to limitless possibilities anyone can get ahead if he or she tries hard enough

14. Mid to late 1800’s

15. Causes of Poverty Functionalist Perspective
Poverty persists because it performs some positive function for society or at least some groups in society

16. Causes of Poverty Functionalist Perspective
Sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore (1945) highly criticized view:
There is a relationship between the contributions people make to society and the rewards they receive
Talents are rewarded and all positions in a society (doctors and janitors alike) must be filled
Poverty is society’s mechanism to discourage people from neglecting their social duties

17. Do his descriptions of functions of poverty still exist today?
Read Excerpts from Herbert J. Gans. The Uses of Poverty: The Poor Pay All. Social Policy July/August 1971: pp
1971 to 2011
Do his descriptions of functions of poverty still exist today?

18. Causes of Poverty Interactionist Perspective- 1st view
People in poverty adapt to their life circumstances
Allowing them to still feel good about themselves.
Make it more difficult for poor people to improve their circumstances.
Criticized because it seems to “blame the victim”

19. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective 2nd view
Labels of poor:
View of wealthy:
irresponsible
lazy
low motivation
low ability
low morals
capable
hard working
motivated
deserving of wealth

20. Which explanation of poverty applies best to today’s economic crisis?
Symbolic Interactionist A: people get accustomed to living in poverty and therefore have difficulty changing the situation
Symbolic Interactionist B: people in poverty get labeled as lazy and lose out on opportunities due to the label
3. Structural Functionalist: poverty is a functional in society, it motivates people to seek higher rewards
4. Conflict Theory: The masses are exploited by the few who have money and power

21. Socialism and Capitalism
Economic system in which the means of producing goods and services are collectively owned.
Capitalism
Economic system in which private individuals or groups invest capital to produce goods and services to sell for a profit in a competitive market.

22. Socialism and Capitalism
View Michael Moore’s: Capitalism: A Love Story
Terms:
Fannie Mae (The Federal National Mortgage Association)
Freddie Mac (Federal Home Mortgage Corporation):
Mortgage finance lenders that have operated since 1968 as government sponsored enterprises (GSEs). Privately owned and operated by shareholders, but protected financially by the support of the Federal Government.

23. Coming up: Next week No Class Spring Break For April 21st:
Read Ch 8 and article posted on class website White Privilege, print out and bring to class.
Due A #4: Stereotype:
Be prepared to discuss a stereotype or label you feel others have of a group you belong to
Prepare to discuss how it effects you
Does not have to be a racial or ethnic group)
4 points. Nothing needs to be typed or turned in