1. Capitalism and Stratification
Two Key Concepts in Sociology

2. 19thc INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Problems: pollution, overcrowding, disease, exploitation of workers.
See: Growth of Towns and Cities

3. Tools of the Sociologist
CONCEPTS
THEORIES
PARADIGMS

4. THEORY AND Concepts
The relationship between theory and concepts in sociology is as follows:

5. a.      Concepts are the building blocks of sociology

6. b.     From concepts sociologists develop propositions about how the social world works

7. c. Formalized propositions are hypotheses…ie
c.      Formalized propositions are hypotheses…ie. Social stratification, social inequality

8. d.     Hypotheses that stand the test of time are raised to the level of theory…ie Marx’s theory of dialectical materialism

9. E. Groups of theories of similar nature become PARADIGMS.

10. STRATIFICATION DEFINED
The Two Concepts
CAPITALISM DEFINED…
STRATIFICATION DEFINED

11. CONCEPTS
CAPITALISM-Economic system based upon social class standing

12. THREE Components OF CAPITALISM
1. Private ownership of property
2. Pursuit of personal profit (surplus value)
3. Free competition and consumer sovereignty-laissez-faire (to let go)

13. Processes OF CAPITALISM
Capitalism is characterized by four main processes:
Systematic Production
Systematic consumption,
Systematic exchange-capital or money
Personal income and wealth accumulation.

14. Stratification defined
Set of relationships in terms of ranking and establishing other relationships
STRATIFICATION-Means of dividing people based upon economic and cultural characteristics

15. PARADIGMS
PARADIGMS EACH PROVIDE UNIQUE INSIGHT INTO… CAPITALISM AND STATIFICATION.
Structural Functionalism-Durkheim
Symbolic Interactionism-Weber
Conflict Theory-Marx

16. Paradigms and Politics
STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM-conservative
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM-liberal
CONFLICT THEORY-radical

17. Political Spectrum EXTREME RIGHT WING =DICTATORSHIP EXTREME LEFT WING
=TRUE COMMUNISM

18. Capitalism
Capitalism is the first system of stratification that is open. (class vs. caste) Individuals may carve out their own positions regardless of the State.
Provides at least, the illusion of meritocracy and achievement.

19. Stratification Systems in History
Slavery-
Estate-
Caste-
Class
Communist
Slavery-US South, South Africa
Estate-Middle ages, Feudalism
Caste-India
Class System-Modern capitalistic societies
Communism-State control 19

20. Social class income, wealth, education occupation.
One’s Class standing is based upon:
income,
wealth,
education
occupation.
Social class is a ranking or grouping of individuals according to position in the economic scheme of things. 20

21. 19th c Classical Theories
E. Durkheim-See Stratification as functional
Max Weber –Stratification is about rationalisation
Karl Marx-Stratification is controlled by elites

22. Paradigms
Paradigm -set of explicit and implicit assumptions that gives an idea meaning and direction.
Grouped together under one paradigm are many theories that operate with the same world view
Other names for paradigm include perspective and conceptual framework.

23. Different Lenses on Society
. Each perspective has different assumptions about:
the nature of mankind
causes of human behaviour

24. Theoretical perspectives on capitalism and stratification
Structural Functional-Right wing conservative status quo-stratification inevitable and necessary
Symbolic Interaction-liberal-critical, pessimistic..
Conflict/Feminist-Left wing radical---question authority

25. Structural-functionalism
Structural-functionalism holds that society is ‘normative’ order
People’s behaviour is organized around social institutions

26. Structural Functionalism
Institutions are comprised of rules and norms
Functionalists focus on social integration
SF theorists tend to ask questions about the functional and dysfunctional elements of human behaviour and social institutions.

27. Stratification according to Functionalism
Davis and Moore (1958). “Some Principles of Stratification”
Inequality is natural
A society of equal rewards is impossible
Stratification is necessary and functional

28. Symbolic interactionism
Symbolic interactionism views human behaviour is the result of individual interpretation of symbols
Focus on social context and social interaction.

29. Symbolic interactionism
People perceive and construct their social reality
4. Tends to ask questions about how individuals make sense of their social world

30. SI- Weber on Stratification
Social Stratification is about status difference
Social Stratification is part of human values generated by the `Spirit of Capitalism’
Capitalistic ethos-hard work, rationality, individualism part of formal rationality.

31. CONFLICT THEORY
Differences in wealth, status and power between classes, ARE not natural.
They are socially constructed by owners of the means of production

32. Marx Quote
 It is not the consciousness of men that determines their existence, but their social existence that determines their consciousness. 

33. Karl Marx Material Conflict Approach
"The History of all hitherto existing societies is the history of class struggle“
SEE MARX’S DAS KAPITAL (1860)
For Marx, the notion of class struggle is at the foundation of human society. 
In the beginning man is a producer and consumer. 33

34. Conflict Theory :False Consciousness
The bourgeoisie maintain false consciousness.
FOUR SLOGANS INCLUDE:
I.e. The cream rises to the top
Freedom requires some exploitation
Any `man can become President.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness? 34

35. Marx’s Modes of Production
TRIBAL
ANCIENT COMMUNAL
FEUDAL
CAPITALISTIC
SOCIALISTIC
The Materialist View of History
Each mode of production prior to Socialism or True Communism is maintained through IDEOLOGY-False consciousness. 35

36. To Marx,
Capitalism is a mode of production-not the first, not the last…
Capitalism-generates stratification as class system.
Capitalism is first mode of production in which pure class divisions exist.
Potential for proletarian revolution???

37. SUMMARY
CAPITALISM AND STRATIFICATION are two key concepts in sociology
Various analyses of the concepts are central in the three main paradigms in sociology
Functionalism, Symbolic Interaction and Conflict Theory.