Karl Marx Essay

For a long time, sociologists have concentrated on the topic of social stratification. People live according to their income flow in today's society, and social classes have become a normal occurrence. The conflict theory, according to Karl Marx, is responsible for social classes. According to the theory, people in society are actively fighting for limited resources. As a result, those in charge of the production factors employ cheap labor from others. As a result, the rich continue to flourish while laborers stay in their jobs, resulting in a class system. Others have the advantage of receiving opportunities and services because of the presence of social groups in society. One major aspect of social classes is that people from the lower class may not get access quality health care. For this reason, policy makers are trying their best to fight for equal access to quality health.
Additionally, conflict theory explains the capitalism aspect of social classes. Usually, the upper classes are regarded as the elite, and powerful. Therefore, not only does the upper class control the economy of the day. Usually, the upper classes are regarded as the elite, and powerful. Therefore, not only does the upper class control the economy of the day, but also the politics, and policies. Often, this class will formulate laws that favor them, rending the people from the lower class helpless. From a sociological perspective, people from the lower class have to work extra harder to fight for equal positions as those in the upper class.
In addressing problems of social stratification, Washington post published an article titled, “Check Your Privilege, Upper Middle Class.” The article authored by Reeves explains that politicians in America are always sure that they are working for the middle class. However, the author argues against the point that America is a middle class society. From his view, Reeves confirms that America still has the three main social classes in the society, as in upper, middle, and lower. Additionally, the author warns politicians of their continuous ignorance against the fact that classes exist in the American society. For this reason, the author advices the political class to develop strategies that would be used to established to achieve an equal ground in the economy class. Notably, politics in America have increased social stratification, as politicians aim at getting a chance of power. Besides, from the American history, it is evident that the minority groups are still struggling to compete with others in the society. Moreover, the author indicates that 80% of the American have not had any increase in their pay, thereby increasing inequality in the society. As such, the author warns that inequality will pose a huge threat to the American economy in the future.

The upper class of the society is often regarded as the main drivers of the politics of the society. Besides, the lower class has accepted this fact for a long period. For this reason, the elite continue to be rich, while the poor continue to suffer. To get into the political class, there are campaigns which require funding. Therefore, to be able to manage such campaigns, one ought to have accumulated a large amount of income from the past. For this reason, conflict and capitalist perspectives explain the reasons for social stratification in the society. From the capitalist perspective, the elite will always dominate the politics of the day. Beside, conflict theory confirms that the rich in the society control the few resources available. Similarly, they are also responsible for controlling power, which they derive from the respect that they get from the lower class. The society holds a stereotype that the elite from the upper class ought to be respected for the wealth that they have already accumulated. For this reason, people from the lower class agree to offer cheap labor. Through this scenario, the lower class does not have enough ground to control politics and power in the society.
From Swanson’s article on Washington Post entitled, Upper Class Elites might hate Trump, but they were the key to his success, explains how the upper class has a huge influence in determines the direction of politics in the society. From the Swanson’s perspective the elite are able to influence the thoughts of people, from the same class to in voting for them. The author indicates that Trump was able to get more votes from people of the upper class, as they have similar thoughts and lifestyle. From an interview with Cowen, the author provides that the elite in the society isolate themselves from the rest in the society. Through an isolation process, the elite are able to influence other members of the group towards policies, and decisions that inform the politics in that society. The author provides examples that people of the upper class are found in New York, Washington DC, and California. Through strategic geographical locations, the upper class is able to influence the thoughts of others, to maintain power and control in the society. Additionally, the author points out that the power and control in the upper class can be related to the mobility and tackling inflation that happened right after the First World War.
Moreover, the Swanson argues that people of the upper and middle class in America, have established themselves such that they can get a new job, and promotions. Therefore, people from this class have a guaranteed way of acquiring more money that will make them richer. Therefore, since one of the rich will always be wealthy, there is a possibility that they will continue to continue influencing the politics of the day in the society. As such, the author confirms that people, who are less educated, and those from low income backgrounds, have come to accept the status quo. However, the author points out that Americans do not have to accept the status quo, as there is a need to change the issue of class and social stratification in the society. Even with the rising number rates of classes, it is clear that closing the gap between the poor and the rich in the society may take a long period. Ideally, the rich in the society do not want to be associated with the poor. Swanson provides that the in America, living arrangement is such that the rich will always want to be associated with the rich, and will look residential homes in places like New York. In addition, people from the high-end areas will always have similar views in different perspectives of life.
Subsequently, Swanson that the social segregation associated with people in these areas happen due to the fact that the rich will always want to be associated with their rich counterparts. As such, the author argues that people from New York, and California ought to have voted for Trump in high numbers. Moreover, the author investigated through the interview whether school segregation can be used to close the gap between the rich and the poor.
To explain the concept of closing the gap in the society, Will in his article on Washington Post entitled, Want to reduce inequality? try the black death, explains the serious issues of inequality amidst a society that wishes to reduce the problem of inequality in the society. Will writes that the issue of inequality in the society, has made it impossible for the society to close the gap between the rich and the poor. Additionally, Will provides that it is almost impossible for the society to close the gap due to the perspectives, and stereotypes that people hold against the concepts of being rich and poor.
Furthermore, Will traces back in history at time of revolutions and egalitarianisms, and explains that these were some of the factors that led to difficulty in closing the gap. Wars and conflicts are the main reasons why societies have failed in closing the gap between the rich and poor, and the rich. Will argues that most of the rich populations in America inherited their wealth from their forefathers, and this helped them to maintain the status quo. As such, it has been difficult for the American society to close the inequality gap. Poverty is characterized by the fact that people fail to meet their daily needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter. According to Will, poverty indicates that the rate of inequality in America has been increased by the fact that some families do not have enough resources that will allow them to meet their daily needs.
Furthermore, the other indicates that the advertisements through magazines such as Forbes, indicate the richest men in the American society. According to the author, such notifications elude an aspect of class and inequality. The concept of class is brought about by the fact that the press through such news confirm that class is still a major problem in the society. Additionally, it is through such medias that the society confirms that the issue of status quo is still a major problem in the society. Nevertheless, through empowerment, and viable strategies of reducing poverty, it is evident that there is still work that can be done to reduce poverty in the society. On the other hand, it is clear that policy makers have to establish ways of reducing poverty in the society by empowering families. For example, this can be achieved by providing equal opportunities to all classes in the society.




In conclusion, social stratification is not only an American issue, but a problem that all governments are fighting against. Nonetheless, the main factors that steer social classes include inequalities at the work place, and the struggle for the limited resources in the society. Inequality in terms of income means that citizens will have unequal distribution of resources. As a result, it is necessary for leaders to develop policies that can help in reducing the aspects of inequality in the society. Nonetheless, social classes can be explained from both conflict, and capitalist perspectives.











Works Cited
Reeves, Richard . "Check your privilege, upper middle class." Check your privilege, upper middle class (2016): n. pag. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj2PO_ip3SAhVoIcAKHaHjA08QFggbMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fnews%2Fin-theory%2Fwp%2F2016%2F10%2F05%2Fcheck-your-privilege-upper-middle-class%2F&usg=AFQjCNGkM3a8CVaWZ9uL48goQlFAbWpMVg&sig2=sWvQj-Z7XqOh6akRBSh9EA

Ana Swanson. "Upper class elites might hate Trump, but they were key to his success." Upper class elites might hate Trump, but they were key to his success (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 30 Mar. 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/02/28/upper-class-elites-might-hate-trump-but-they-were-key-to-his-success/?utm_term=.ffca6aba6d6f
Will, George. "Want to reduce inequality? Try the Black Death." Want to reduce inequality? Try the Black Death (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 30 Mar. 2017.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/want-to-reduce-inequality-try-the-black-death/2017/02/03/e90551e2-e7e9-11e6-bf6f-301b6b443624_story.html?utm_term=.c98b41ca1c99.