Social class

Social class is a set of concepts in the social sciences and political theory centered on models of social stratification which occurs in class society, in which people are grouped into a set of hierarchical social categories, the most common being the upper, middle and lower classes.

Definition

"Class" is a subject of analysis for sociologists, political scientists, anthropologists and social historians. However, there is not a consensus on a definition of "class" and the term has a wide range of sometimes conflicting meanings. In common parlance, the term "social class" is usually synonymous with "socio-economic class", defined as "people having the same social, economic, cultural, political or educational status", e.g., "the working class"; "an emerging professional class". However, academics distinguish social class and socioeconomic status, with the former referring to one's relatively stable sociocultural background and the latter referring to one's current social and economic situation and consequently being more changeable over time.

History

The precise measurements of what determines social class in society have varied over time. Karl Marx thought "class" was defined by one's relationship to the means of production (their relations of production). His simple understanding of classes in modern capitalist society is the proletariat, those who work but do not own the means of production; and the bourgeoisie, those who invest and live off the surplus generated by the proletariat's operation of the means of production.

Class structure

Social class is often an indicator of political affiliation. The factors that influence social class are often diverse and include income, wealth, education, occupation, and membership in a specific subculture or social network. Social class can also influence our chances of achieving the American Dream, a concept deeply rooted in the ideologies and values of our nation's founding fathers.

See also

• Socioeconomic status
• Social mobility
• Class consciousness
• Class conflict
• Classless society

External links

• Britannica - Social Class

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