Comparison of Marx and Weber on theory of Inequality Essay

Comparison of Marx and Weber on theory of Inequality - Essay Example The contemporary debate on the theories of social inequality considers Marx’s and Weber’s view, with the aim of conceptualizing class analysis. Wright (2001) emphasized the centrality of class within the Marxist tradition. Marx stated that class struggle is the motor of history, and supported an exploitation-centered concept of class. Three Marxist theses are essential in order to understand his perspective on social inequality: (1) the radical egalitarianism thesis, according to which a radically egalitarian distribution of the material conditions of life would enhance human flourishing; (2) historical possibility thesis, suggesting the feasibility of organizing society for a radically egalitarian distribution of the material conditions of life, and (3) the anti-capitalism thesis. Marx considered capitalism as the enemy of social equality, since capitalism blocks the possibility of the radical egalitarianism. Breen (2001) outlined Weber’s view on social class, presented in Economy and Society. According to Weber, members of a class share common life chances, i.e. the chances that individuals have of procuring goods. Weber stated that the market distributes life chances in accordance with the various resources that individuals bring to it. â€Å"There is no assumption in Weber that class will be the major source of conflict within capitalist society or that classes will necessarily serve as a source of collective action. Rather, the focus is on the market as the source of inequalities in life chances† (Breen 2001: 42). For Weber, classes are of interest insofar as they shape life chances. Weber identified four classes under capitalism: the â€Å"dominant entrepreneurial and propertied groups; the petty bourgeoisie; workers with formal credentials (the middle class) and those who lack them and whose only asset is their labor power (the working class)† (Breen 2001: 42). I believe that