Social Classes and Social Credit - Assignment Example

Sociology Part I Exploitation is defined as “the expropriation of surplus value produced by the worker” (Buchanan 121). Przeworski defined proletariat as “a class at the level of economic relations that it spontaneously acquires consciousness of its historical mission; and that function of the party is but to assist, support, and participate in the political struggle of that economically defined class” (52). Bell defined bourgeoisie as “a class comprising of self-employed individuals who hire few if any employees apart from family members” (87). Bourgeoisie are people who own a means of production. Therefore, it is the bourgeoisie who are exploiting the talent and skills of the proletariat. For example, a businessman has the power to instruct the HR manager to maximize the full potential of each employee by cutting down the number of existing employees. Social class is defined as “subgroups of human population” (Scarr 38) whereas class is defined as “a group of people with similar amounts of wealth or income” (Indabawa and Mpofu 68). Lastly, Kornblum defined life chances as “the likelihood that individuals will have access to opportunities and benefits that society values” (272). Considering people’s diffrences with regards to class, it is the minority groups within a social class are more likely to have lesser life opportunities due to financial difficulty or poverrt. For example, in the United States, minority groups like the African American, Hispanics and Latinos are the group of people with limited income. Due to financial difficulty, not all people who belongs to the lower social class are able to have good access to education. Therefore, they are the ones who usually accept blue-collar job. Mode of production is referring to the “the social relations we enter into in order to transform nature into the products necessary for our survival” (Krech et al. 187) whereas the means of production is referring to capital or anything that can be used as a tool or resources in manufacturing and delivery of goods and services (Wolf and Eriksen 77). Power is defined as “the capacity to act” or be in control (Ritzer 464). In a capitalist society, people with access to both the mode of production and the means of production are the ones who have the power to control the economic situation around him. As a common knowledge, money is power. Therefore, even if a businessman has a means of production, if the businessman has no mode of production, it would still be difficult for him to succeed in his business. Part II In the study of sociology, the conflict theory strongly suggests that the members of a given society or an organization are most likely to end up struggling in order to maximize their wealth, power, and benefits. As a result of these social and political conflicts, significant changes in politics are most likely to take place (i.e. revolutions). In the worlds of capitalism, social conflict is more likely to occur between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. Based on some ideologies like capitalism versus socialism, it is not fair on the part of the business people to continuously abuse and exploit the workers in order to gain more wealth. For this reason, as a form of socialism, labor unions are most likely to develop in business organizations that do not treat employees equally or fairly. Even though conflict theory can be used to describe some cases wherein conflict between different groups of people arises, it remains a question as to whether or not the conflict theory can be used to represents an ideal human society. Marx argued that assets are upheld by the state. Therefore, with the purpose of owning some properties, a person may go through some conflicts or struggle with the politicians, the owner of properties, and the current renters of a property. With the purpose of earning more money, social conflict between the capitalists and workers are also most likely to occur. People who own wealth among any other possessions are the ones who can effectively move in politics. Therefore, we can say that material wealth can also make a person or a group of people to spread their personal opinions to other people within the society. Because of their social standing in life, it is the sentiment of the wealthy people that are often heard more easily (Collins). According to Marx, the incidence of conflict can arise since almost anything around us are valuable to human beings. In most cases, the bourgeoisie (businessmen) are continuously exploiting the talents and skills of the proletariat (workers) without sharing the profit equally to the workers. Due to the on-going conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, the bourgeoisie will continue to dominate the politics in order to receive more protection and power from the government officials (Sharma and Sharma 44 – 45). Unlike the conflict theory of Karl Marx is considered more radical in terms of its implication whereas Pareto’s view with regards to the conflict theory is more on a naturalistic and conservative side (Sharma and Sharma 44). It means that Karl Marx’s theory of conflict is more focused on a wider scope of economics and the society as compared to Pareto’s theory which are more focused on norms and ideas under the power and control of the upper class society or the elites (45). Pareto explained that the causes of social conflict is not limited to the struggle between the capitalist and the proletariat since people outside the scope of capitalism can still encounter social conflicts due to their differences in personal interests. For example, it is common for some elites to be always eager to fight for fame and power. This explains why most people in the upper social class tend to have both power and wealth. Due to globalization, I prefer Marx’s idea because Marx’s explanation with regards to the bourgeoisie and the proletariat is very much evident now. Among the similarities between Marx’s and Pareto’s ideas includes that of the elite within our society. The only difference between the two is that Marx’s idea gave emphasis to the impact of capitalism within our society. Up to the present time, the elites are maintaining their relationship with the politicians in order to protect their own wealth. Part III (m) Collective consciousness is defined as “the basis for social relationships and also, possibly, a source of moral knowledge that accounts for similarity of belief in given communities” (May 47). Since “a collective consciousness is intimately connected to a collective conscience” (52), Therefore, all members of our society should create and follow a shared values and beliefs which can be considered as part of our culture. I agree with Durkheim. In the absence of a similar belief and moral knowledge, there is a higher chance wherein social conflict could arise. If this happen, peace within our society will be very difficult to achieve. Earlier we have mentioned that class is defined as “a group of people with similar amounts of wealth or income” (Indabawa and Mpofu 68). Therefore, class consciousness is all about a small group of people with similar interests and beliefs. Since our nation is composed of different social classes, we can say that a collective conscience is different from a class consciousness particularly with regards to the size of people. For instance, a class is composed of only a small part of our nation. Therefore, a class consciousness is not enough for us to avoid social conflicts. Yes. I believe that a collective conscience is a useful tool in understanding a sub-culture that involves faship, music, or technology fads. Basically, gadgets like iPads, iPhones and other technology serves only as an electronic devices which can be used to store not only music but also some photos and more. Using these gadgets, one can somehow tell the sub-cultures simply by listening to the type of music downloaded on these gadgets. (n) Social progress is defined as “material abundance” (Goldman 273). Comte suggests that each society can develop and progress based on their religion, metaphysical, and scientific knowledge. Furthermore, Comte explained that through science, people can easily solve problems that we encounter each day in our society. By avoiding speculations and superstition, we can easily prosper through social progress. Spencer compared a society to a living organisms that has interdependent parts. According to Spencer, change will always take place and that change in one area will definitely affect another. Therefore, Spencer strongly suggests that social progress is all about being able to maintain social stability within a given society as a whole. Marx suggests that a society will be subject to social conflicts like market competition and social class conflict. Since the economic system can affect norms, values, mores and religious beliefs and how education and political system within a society works, Marx believe that we should participate in changing our society. Lastly, Durkheim said social progress is all about discipline. By studying factors that can affect the behavior and attitude of each people in our society, there is a strong possibility that people can be motivated to change for the better (Cliffs Notes). Among these four concepts, I believe that social progress is possible using Spencer’s theory behind social progress. For example, parents should teach their children with good values, send them to school, introduce religion, and make them become a part of the industry. All these factors are important to enable the government easily manage the country as a single society. Thus, survival of the fittest is necessary at some point in time. (o) Class consciousness is all about a small group of people with similar interests and beliefs. Since our nation is composed of different social classes, we can say that a collective conscience is different from a class consciousness particularly with regards to the size of people. For instance, a class is composed of only a small part of our nation. Therefore, a class consciousness is not enough for us to avoid social conflicts. Class consciousness and collective conscience can be used interchangeably since class conscioussness is part of the collective conscience. I believe that class consciousness is a useful tool for understanding social relations among social classes. For example, a group of people who are practicing the same religion can be considered as part of a class consciousness which makes people able to easily understand how these people would relate to other people within the society. (p) Because of the presence of technology, the cultural beliefs of the younger generation in Saudi Arabia particularly with regards to their view on what’s going on around the world are changing. The use of technology creates a lot of social changes. Therefore, there is a strong possibility wherein the social structure, social control and socialization process among the youth will change in the near future. (q) Sociology studies not only the factors that makes a group of people distinctive from one another but also teaches how one can effectively control and avoid social conflicts. References Bell, Edward Allan. Social Classes and Social Credit in Alberta. Quebec: McGill-Queens University Press, 1993. Buchanan, Allen E. Ethics, Efficiency, and the Market. NJ: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Inc., 1988. "Cliffs Notes." 2012. The Founders of Sociology. 28 June 2012 . Collins, Randall. Conflict Sociology. NY: Academic Press, 1974. Goldman, Steven L. Science, Technology, and Social Progress. MA: Associated University Press, 1989. Indabawa, Sabo Amin and Stanley Mpofu. The Social Context of Adult Learning in Africa. Cape Town: UNESCO , 2006. Kornblum, William. Sociology in a Changing World. CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012. Krech, Shepard and et al. Encyclopedia of World Environmental History: A-E. NY: Routledge, 2004. May, Larry. The Socially Responsive Self: Social Theory and Professional Ethics. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1992. Przeworski, Adam. Capitalism and Social Democracy. NY: Cambridge University Press, 1993. Ritzer, George. The Concise Encyclopedia of Sociology. 3rd Edition. West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011. Scarr, Sandra. Race, Social Class, and Individual Differences in I.Q. NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc., 1981. Sharma, Rajendra Kumar and Rachana Sharma. Social Psychology. 1st Edition. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers and Distributor, 1997. Wolf, Eric R. and Thomas Hylland Eriksen. Europe and the People Without History. LA: University of California Press, 2010. Total Number of Words: 1,824 Read More