SY101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: The Power Elite, Designer Label, False Consciousness
8
SY101 Full Course Notes
Verified Note
8 documents
Document Summary
Social class is determined by one"s relationship to the means of production. Ex the tools, factories, land, and investment capital used to produce wealth. Bourgeoisie (capitalists) own the means of production. Proletariat (workers) work for those who own the means of production. As capital becomes more concentrated, the 2 classes will become increasingly more hostile toward one another. Class consciousness: awareness of a common identity based on position in the means of production - will develop; it is the essential basis of the unity of workers. Marx believes that the workers would revolt against the capitalists, take control of the means of production, and usher in a classless society. False consciousness: the mistaken identification of workers with the interests of capitalists. Property, prestige, and power determine social class. Property is an essential element; however, powerful people, like managers or corporations, control the means of production they do not own.
