Max Weber on power and social stratification : an interpretation and critique

Abstract

This thesis revolves around a textual analysis of the Weberian thesis that classes, status groups and parties are phenomena of the distribution of power within society. An internal reconstruction of Weber's own ideas on what is called social stratification in contemporary sociological discourse is undertaken. The reason for this reconstruction inheres in the fact that Weber's thought (especially, in the field of social stratification) has been analysed, modified and misappropriated to such an extent that Weber himself is usually lost in the commentaries. Firstly, the epistemological-methodological and sociological principles underpinning Weber's study of social stratification are explored. The thesis goes on to examine a few concepts central to Weber's analysis of structured social inequality. These include power, resistance, domination and discipline. The remainder of the thesis argues that Weber was primarily engaged in an historically oriented study of the distribution of power in various societies. Weber's idea of classes as bases of the aggregation of economic power within the modern capitalist market economy is appraised. In respect of status groups, the thesis mainly concentrates on Weber's conception of medieval estates as phenomena of the distribution of power within the feudal social order in the West. Weber's understanding of the distribution of political power between responsible political leaders, democratic parties and the electoral masses within the Gennan nation-state is also evaluated. The final conclusion which is drawn from the research is that the new fonns of social inequality emerging in postmodern society cannot be conceptualised in a comprehensive fashion by relying on the Weberian thesis that classes, status groups and parties are bases of the aggregation of power within society.