The Roots Of Durable Inequality By Charles Tilly

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Weber, Wright and Tilley each contribute various theories to that can be applied to inequality and stratification within the contemporary United States. Reaching back to Weber’s work on class, status and parties, it is clear that this class is still a relevant concept even today. Weber views the class stratification system as a segmented structure, broken down into the simple components of class, status and party which in turn relate to power within a capitalist society. He defined “class situation” in relation to the following conditions (1) "have in common a specific causal component of their life chances in so far as (2) this component is represented exclusively by economic interests in the possession of goods and opportunities for income, …show more content…

Focusing on the physical differences between the affluent cadets who averaged 5’1” and towered over the poor young mariners who averaged just 4’3” at the time. Noting that as time in service progressed their heights would begin to converge. The question why this drastic difference size came with rather simple answer. The low income families of the young mariners and the inequitable access to quality food. Nutrition or lack thereof would lead to a history plagued by chronic disease and illness, as well a shortened life …show more content…

Here those in power have created the inequality based of those differences in category primarily through exploitation or opportunity hoarding, creating unequal access to resources. By reinforcing differences based on these differences, third parties such as government agencies and powerful stakeholders often contribute to the inequalities. “Class Structure in Comparative Perspective,” a composition authored by Erik Olin Wright, theorizes class exploitation exists as a power relationship where one group exploits their control over through property rights. Under the Marxist theory, the worker must sell their labor to the capitalist who possesses the means of production. In exchange for this labor they will receive a wage that in turn will use for sustenance. Since they have no means of their own, they will be at the mercy of the capitalist in this relationship, thus creating the power/control

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