Stratification: Marx vs Weber
... not own the means of production and are forced to sell their labour for less than their work's value. This results in surplus value or profit for the Ruling Class, who exploited and oppressed the Subject class. The thought that supports this system is that the Subject class allowed the oppression, a condition termed false consciousness by Marx. He spoke of class conflict because of this exploitation and oppression by the Ruling Class. In order for this system to survive, the Ruling Class had to create conditions under which they themselves will survive, thereby eventually forcing the Subject Class become aware of their conditions. Marx also went on to state that eventually there will be a forcing down of the Bourgeoisie leading to a revolution and a classless, communist society. Weber speaks of inequality being based on power held by groups, which is not necessarily as a result of ownership, as much as class, status or party. The idea of class, he says, is not so much a conscious effort on the part of the individual, but is determined by the...