Classes struggle (Marxism) & social stratification

Class struggle is a very present notion in Marxism. It focuses on how a population, segmented into sectors or classes with different positions, is confronted or separated by conflicting interests, needs and claims. By deepening this expression and investigating the achievements of both classes, the connection with the spirit of historical materialism, current or doctrinal also defined as the materialistic conception of history is inevitable. 

From Karl Marx's point of view, the class struggle is not limited to social and political disputes, but also includes the intention to promote new styles of relationship and organization in society that lead, for example, to a certain model of productive development. To put an end to oppression, they consider those who embrace a leftist ideology, it is essential to leave capitalism in the past and establish a system based on socialism or communism.

  • The class struggle was already present in texts and theories of various thinkers, such as Machiavelli or Rousseau, before Marxism.
  • In Marxism, there is a difference between oppressed and dominated classes and the dominant and powerful class, such as bourgeoisie and proletariat.
  • Class consciousness is the recognition of the place in the social class scheme and the action taken in accordance with this social level.
  • Marx's theory of labor-value establishes that the value of an asset is associated with the human effort and the socially necessary work for its production.
  • Marxist theory advocates the construction of a class-free society through the socialization of the means of production and the elimination of added value.

Social stratification
For Marxism, the social strata that have interests found and clash for this reason are broadly divided into two sets that clearly demonstrate the prevailing inequalities: on the one hand, the oppressed and the dominant and the powerful classes appear. The bourgeoisie, a sector with resources to boost industrial activity to the availability of the means of production, is at the forefront, while the proletariat, the workers who perform productive tasks for a higher social class than theirs, appears. The same reality that marks a strong separation between slaves and masters, feudal lords and servitude… Ultimately, between rich and limited, conditioned and hit by poverty. From a Marxist perspective, the masses and subjects are able to understand what kind of society they are based on their economy and way of life, thus acting in accordance with their social level without falling into the hands of the highest sectors. This is commonly called possessing class consciousness. When the occupation prevailing in the capitalist world is not perceived or recognized, there is talk of alienation.

Capitalism needs this division of classes, where workers do not have the means of production and must sell their labour force and bourgeoisie has the means of production and takes advantage of the added value of workers. Sociologists recognize that social stratification is a system of society as a whole that makes inequalities apparent. While there are always inequalities among individuals, sociologists are interested in broader social patterns. Stratification is not about individual inequalities, but about systematic inequalities based on belonging to groups, classes and the like. No individual, rich or poor, can be blamed for social inequalities. The structure of society affects a person's social position. While individuals can support or combat inequalities, social stratification is created and supported by society as a whole. Factors defining stratification vary in different societies. In most societies, stratification is an economic system, based on wealth, net value of money and assets held by a person, and income, wages or investment dividends. While people are regularly classified according to how rich or poor they are, other important factors influence the social position. For example, in some cultures wisdom and charisma are valued, and people who have them are revered more than those who do not, in some cultures elderly are valued; in others, elderly are underestimated or ignored. The cultural beliefs of societies often reinforce stratification inequalities.

A key determinant of the social position is the social position of our parents. Parents tend to convey their social position to their children. People inherit not only the social position but also the cultural norms that accompany a certain lifestyle. They share them with a network of friends and family. The social position becomes a comfort zone, a family lifestyle and an identity. This is one of the reasons why first-generation university students are not doing as well as other students. sociologists distinguish between two types of stratification systems. Closed systems accommodate little change in social position. They do not allow people to change levels and do not allow social relations between levels. Open systems, based on achievement, enable movement and interaction between layers and classes. Different systems reflect, emphasize and foster certain cultural values and shape individual beliefs. The stratification systems include class systems and caste systems, as well as meritocracy.

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