What is “class situation” according to Weber?
the nature of an individual’s life chances in the market—defined by what property, goods, or services they can offer
What does Weber see as the fundamental divide in class situations?
property vs. propertylessness, but also differences in types of property and types of services offered
What is a “social class” for Weber?
A totality of class situations where mobility (within a lifetime or across generations) is typically possible
defined by skills, education, property, income level
What are Weber’s 4 social classes?
I. Working classes (unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled)
II. Petty Bourgeoise
III. Intellectual and technical personnel
IV. those with Property/privileges based on education
How does Weber define “status situation”?
A position of positive or negative social esteem, based on:
i) style of life
ii) education
iii) prestige of birth or occupation
What is a “status group”?
a community of people distinguished by non-economic traits like honor, prestige, ethnicity, or religion, centered on shared lifestyles and social esteem
What is social closure?
the process by which status groups preserve their lifestyle by excluding others by:
- maintaining social distance
- closing off economic opportunities to outsiders
(exclusion rather than exploitation)
How do parties differ from class and status groups?
- seek to control power within a community
- have political goals independent of the class or status origins of their members
- they cut across class and status lines, uniting diverse people
What is domination for Weber?
the probability that commands will be obeyed
What stabilizes domination?
belief in legitimacy of the authority
Three pure types of legitimate domination
- rational
- traditional
- charismatic
Rational Authority
A system of established laws, rules, and procedures
legitimacy comes from the legality of the rules
Traditional Authority
Legitimacy based on age-old customs; obedience rooted in personal loyalty and inherited rules
Charismatic Authority
obedience based on a leader’s extraordinary personal qualities and followers’ belief in their exceptional powers or mission
legitimacy derived from devotion of followers
Routinization of Charisma
the process where pure charisma becomes stabilized by transforming into traditional or legal forms—due to needs for succession, administration, and economic organization
Why must charisma be routinized?
because charismatic authority is unstable, anti-economic, and cannot exist without continuity or a successor
