While at the Lacovia High School I was place in 74 this was consider to be the slowest of all
Grade seven classes. I can remember vividly seeing this very beautiful girl who was in 7 1, I
went over and said hi, and her response was “I don’t talk to boys from 74”. This was my first
time experiencing the idea of a social class. Social Class refers to divisions in society based
on economic and social status. People in the same social class typically share a similar level
of wealth, educational achievement, type of job and income[ CITATION Kar16 \l 1033 ]. Karl
Marx argued that there were two social classes – the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Marks
noted that bourgeoisie are the owners of the means of production: the factories,
businesses, and equipment needed to produce wealth. The proletariats are the workers.
Max Weber argued that stratification and social class were more complicated than this. He
argued that social class was based on a person’s market position which is basically how
much money or wealth they have and their bargaining power to get this. He also introduced
the ideas of power and status as making up a full picture of a person’s position in society.
Status refers to how people are thought of and regarded in society.
In an article posted by Collin Constantine on the 18th of August, 2017 he stated The
renowned Barbadian historian Sir Hilary Beckles has recently argued that the white
inheritors of The First Black Slave Society remain both dominant and unrepentant in today’s
Barbados. For all the de jure political power that black descendants have achieved, de facto
economic power has not shifted[ CITATION Col17 \l 1033 ]. In analysis this article it put
forward the notion that when from an economic view point Barbadians are still living in a
Marxist social class system where there is a clear distinction of two classes in society which
can be seen at the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Base on Constantine article with whites
enslaving Africans from the days of slavery the power of ruling class was with the whites and
those which hold less or no power at all is the blacks. With a blacks and whites getting
involved intimately this put one more class in play.
Max Weber took issue with Marx’s seemingly simplistic view of stratification. Weber
argued that owning property, such as factories or equipment, is only part of what
determines a person’s social class. Social class for Weber included power and prestige, in
addition to property or wealth. People who run corporations without owning them still
benefit from increased production and greater profits. This is very evident in Barbados
where many overseas businesses is present and locals such as blacks have high rank position
in these companies these high ranks job provides a level a prestige and social status in
society. Another example of Max weber point on social class in relation to Barbados can be
looked at in relation to one of West Indies great cricket legends Sir Garfield Sobers. Sir
Sobers is not of the white back ground however he is a person that many bajans would have
look up to and regard as a part of a prestige group of people within the country, such
prestige he would have gain because of playing cricket and having good success in the sport.
In concluding Social Class refers to divisions in society based on economic and social status.
People in the same social class typically share a similar level of wealth, educational
achievement, type of job and income. Karl Marx argued that there were two social classes –
the bourgeoisie and the proletariat while Max Weber argued that stratification and social
class were more complicated than this. He argued that social class was based on a person’s
market position which is basically how much money or wealth they have and their
bargaining power to get this. When looking at Barbados Karl mark and Max Weber view of
social class is very evident.
Reference
Constantine, C. (2017, AUG 18). Sources of inequality may have changed since the colonial
era, but its scale and impact continue to shape Barbadian society. Retrieved JUL 09,
2020, from Trouble in paradise: the hidden impacts of increasing inequalities in
Barbados: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/latamcaribbean/2017/08/18/trouble-in-paradise-
the-hidden-impacts-of-increasing-inequalities-in-barbados/
Thompson, K. (2016, AUG 04). ReviseSociology. Retrieved JUL 09, 2020, from
ReviseSociology: https://revisesociology.com/2016/08/04/social-class-definition-
introduction/
