Soc714X Social Class

Marx suggested that class conflict was inevitable because the organization of capitalist production impoverished workers leading to their awareness of their position. Class consciousness would then lead them to revolution — that is, they would realize that the only way to improve their lot was to overthrow the owners' control of the means of production.

Marx's prediction of global revolution has not come to pass, but the origins of class consciousness are present in advanced capitalist society — in particular, the growing gap between the capitalist class and everyone else — even if a revolutionary ideology among labor has not emerged. In general, "class conflict" is regarded as a negative thing; politicians often accuse their opponents of fomenting it.

Whether or not you agree with Marx about the necessity or desirability of a proletarian revolution, the question of class consciousness is an important sociological matter. To what extent are American workers conscious of their class position and the structure of class relations? Is this a good thing or a social problem? How can class consciousness lead to beneficial social change, even if it doesn't become revolutionary?

Note: This is an in-class exercise.