Social Class Theories
1-Introduction:
Social group is also called social class. In political and social science it is a set of concepts that cover various models of social hierarchy. In this social hierarchy people are divided into different groups in the form of a combination of different types of social system. Sociologists, political scientists, anthropologists and social historians consider each social class as an important component of social analysis. However, there is no consensus on any single definition of class. And different meanings of this term are taken in different contexts. Generally, the term social class is considered to be synonymous with socio-economic class. That is, people of similar economic, social and educational standard or status. For example, a working class or an emerging professional class. As far as education is concerned, there is a difference in social class and socio-economic standard. Social class refers to an individual's relatively stable social and cultural background, while socioeconomic status refers to an individual's current social and economic status, which changes over time.
2- Historical background of the term social class theory:
In the early 19th century, the term "class" was first used commonly. It soon replaced rank or order. These terms were used for large prominent groups or sections of society. The term is used to refer to changes in the European class system following the industrial and political revolutions of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. During this period, the hierarchies adopted under the feudal system were in decline and new social groups were emerging in the form of business and industrial investors and urban classes working in factories. These groups were mostly defined in economic terms. The members of these classes were either investors or wage earners. The term class was used to refer to a variety of social groups in societies, including ancient city-states, early empires, and feudal societies are included. However, most of its use in modern societies, especially in industrialized societies, is limited to social divisions. A distinction must be made between social classes and rank-based groups. Social classes are based mostly on economic interests, while status groups are based on prestige in a profession, social status or family. They come into being through evolution.
3-Early Theories of Class:
1:-Theories of social class were defined as modern social science in the nineteenth century. Various political philosophers discussed social hierarchy and inequality. These philosophers include John Locke, Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques. At the end of the eighteenth century and the beginning of the nineteenth century, French and British writers presented the theory that The state of political life of a society can be assessed by assessing the non-political elements of that class, such as social and family systems. This theory was advanced by the French sociologist Henri de Saint-Simon. He argued that the governmental structure of a state is shaped by its system of economic production. The term "lower class" or "working class" was introduced as a major political force in modern society by the thinkers after Saint-Simon.
2:-These ideas about class had a direct influence on the formation of the theory of Karl Marx. Karl Marx's theory distinguishes one society from another according to the mode of production. That is, the nature of technology and the reliability of division of labor. Each mode of production gives rise to a different class system in which one class controls and directs the production process while another class or classes provide their services to the dominate class.
3:-Different classes have hostile feelings towards each other because there is a conflict between them in terms of control over the production process. And after some time, when the method of production changes as a result of the use of manpower and advancement in technology, this conflict becomes more intense and a new class challenges the dominant class of the society. According to Marx, the dominant class of material production not only controls material production but also tries to control the formation of ideas. Thus it establishes its own distinctive cultural style (system) and forms a dominant political ideology. and consolidates its dominance over society under a certain type of political system. The emerging classes who gain power as a result of the change in the mode of production formulate their political ideologies and conduct a movement against the dominant and ruling class.
Karl Marx's Class Theory has a central position in social
theory.
4-Contemporary Theories of Class:
1:- Most of the ideas presented about class repeat or deny Marx's ideas or offer alternative ideas. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the German sociologist Max Weber raised the importance of social class in the sense of political evolution of modern societies. He pointed out that religious practices, nationality and other factors play a more important role. But Marx's theories place more emphasis on the importance of class conflict. That is, according to Marx's theories, the conflict found between classes to control the means of production are more controversial issues. Many opponents of Marx's theory draw attention to the interdependence and cooperation of classes in various affairs. In fact, it seems that since the end of the 20th century capitalist societies have developed a tendency to lose class identity and the conflict between them has decreased to such an extent that in economically advanced societies it is no longer an issue. It does not lead to any kind of serious political conflict. Moreover, Marx's prediction of the revolution of the lower class against the upper class and the establishment of a classless society as a result of this revolution proved hollow. The period from 1989 to 1990 included the collapse of many regimes whose downfall was largely due to their internal structure. Some sociologists ultimately conclude that hierarchies have largely disappeared in many Western societies. From which it is known that class boundaries are falling.
2:-Bourdieu’s thesis of social production covers the
relationship between education, family and social classes. Bourdieu argues that
education plays an important role in social injustice and social exclusion.
Cultural capital plays a central role in social production because inequality
in social capital reflects inequality in social classes. Schools play an
important role in creating this inequality or economic inequality. Because most
of the teaching initiatives taken by the teachers in the schools promote the
cultural capital that are useful for the students from dominant class but these
are useless for other students.
In this way, schools prove to be the main factors of
social evacuation and production. Bourdieu argues that schools and teachers
contribute to this process of increasing inequality at the family level by
adopting biased attitudes toward students from the upper capitalist class and
by taking actions that are culturally appropriate for that class.
3:-According to Bourdieu, the educational system of
developing societies operates according to a mechanism that justifies
inequality. Cultural capital and elite habits contribute to the success of the
educational system. Students belonging to lower classes do not have these
qualities, so failure of most of them is inevitable. It explains class
inequalities in educational achievement.
4:-According to Bourdieu, cultural capital consists of
the awareness of the dominant culture of a society and especially an education
that includes the ability to understand and use the cultured language. It is
clear that the ownership of cultural capital varies according to different
sections of the society. This situation makes it very difficult for the lower
class students to achieve success in the education system. Bourdieu claims that
since the education system has become more oriented towards cultural capital,
which is actually owned by only a few students, there has been a very poor
performance in the transfer of education process. Because students don't easily
understand what teachers are trying to teach them. According to Bourdieu, this
situation is more prominent in universities where students fear exposure of
their ignorance. Despite the fact that the lower classes are at a huge
disadvantage in this competition, the results of these competitions are
considered to be a test of merit and are considered valid. In addition,
Bourdieu asserts that those who occupy important positions in the educational
system consider social inequality right.
This means that the education system plays an important role in creating the class system. Reforms in the education system such as provision of free compulsory secondary education cannot remedy this class system and social inequality. This shows that the educational gaps and deficits that parents pass on to their children cannot be compensated by economic factors. Therefore, the issue of cultural capital requires serious attention.
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