“The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win.”

–Marx and Engels, 1848

The proletarians and bourgeoisies are born enemies, as I was taught many years ago. The future world belongs to proletarians: “from each according to his ability to each according to his needs”. In Marxism, the ownership of productive property causes social confliction between these two classes. The bourgeoisie’s exploitation of proletarians renders revolution inevitable. Unfortunately, in a world dominated by capitalism, it seems that Karl Marx was wrong in every aspect.

Marx’s thesis is oversimplified. The structure of modern society is so complicated that his definition of class hardly makes any sense now. On the other hand, we are constantly reminded that some people are much better off but some are far worse than we are. Then, what forms a modern society, and how it constructs?

The view from Max Weber is the most important in understanding current social policies. Weber agreed with Marx than social stratification exists. However, he defined “class” as a social position– a social ladder an individual hold in a hierarchical society. The position, commonly termed as socioeconomic status, is characterized by economics, social status/prestige, and power. In Weber’s idea, income, education, beliefs, and circumstances comprise one’s “life chances”. Therefore, Weber’s society has a continuous class with many self-interested social groups.

It is evident that “life chances” are not equal to everybody. For some, no matter how hard they try, they are stuck in miserable situations for ever. To some extent, society acts beyond individuals’ control. Emile Durkheim first noticed this and believed that society has its own functions. In his seminal book “suicide”, he described the independent functions of society on suicide rates in Paris. His book “the division of labor” detailed that society was maintained by specialized workers.

Davis and Moore further argued that social stratification is natural and even is required for the progress of a society. The division of labor, the property relationship, and the power structure are inherent characteristics of any society. The position of power, for example, should be awarded to those most suitable and reward them accordingly. In one sentence, people should be happy about what they are.

Theories are not necessary in stark contrast but they differ in significant ways. Marx’s class theory leads to revolution which indeed happened in several countries. However, Marxism failed to recognize many dimensions Weber illustrated. In overthrowing capitalism, politics itself creates new classes: those have power dominate the society and those have abilities are degraded.

Weberian view appeals to average people. It advocates hard work to accumulate “life chances”. In fact, “life chances” is the basis of American dream. Meritocracy is fair because every one can climb up.History is full of these examples including Benjamin Franklin and Bill Clinton.

The functionism is not welcome by many American although it is well accepted by American sociologists. Nevertheless, the popularity of Doctors and Lawyers testifies the theory’s validity that one’s occupation determines his/her social class.

One doesn’t have to subscribe to any specific theories. For example, the New York Time listed four indices to examine one’s social class: occupation, income, education, and wealth (I am not sure why it left out power). It is clear that these indices bear ideas of both Weberian and Functionism, but little Marxism. On the other hand, the division of class: upper class, upper-middle, middle, working class, and the poor, has imprints from Marxism: the economics and power.

Class does exist; there is no doubt about it. In 21^st century, booming technology has produced millionaires more than ever, but also many more people slide to the poor. People are moving in and out at every level. All people are born “equal” but some are more equal than others are. It is “self-evident” that everybody wants to move up. But how?