One of the most widely applicable social science concepts. It refers to a group that has a shared relationship to the labour process and the accumulation of wealth. This means primarily means ownership of productive resources. Such groups have power over the cultural and political spheres of society, in addition to the economic division of labour. Class is one of the most important categories in determining life chances for individuals, and has been refined over the years before and after Marx's time, but has existed from the beginnings of civilization. Unlike socioeconomic status, it has less to do with income inequality and stratification, as it does power. Some class theorists argue that individuals can share characteristics of multiple classes, or are "in between" classes (the "middle class"). Classes are not homogeneous, but they share similar basic interests, whether explicitly or implicitly, despite having internal conflicts and differences. They also change based on the division of labour, such as when the "information revolution" transformed work conditions. Class position does not absolutely determine life position, and is affected by ideology (e.g., the role of the American Dream) and other systems of inequality (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity).
E.g., the capacity of social class (ownership of money capital) to influence party politics, elections, and policies, which narrows the range of political options available.
E.g., the ownership of major news and media organizations which largely influences public opinion and perceptions, as well as stimulates demand for consumer goods.
E.g., the fact that there is enough food to feed 10x the Earth's current population, while billions in fact starve with less than $1 a day to survive on, indicating a severe concentration of productive resources in few hands.
E.g., the reality that rising cost of living and expected consumer demands has been met with declining wages and almost non-existent union and political representation.
E.g., the ownership of major news and media organizations which largely influences public opinion and perceptions, as well as stimulates demand for consumer goods.
E.g., the fact that there is enough food to feed 10x the Earth's current population, while billions in fact starve with less than $1 a day to survive on, indicating a severe concentration of productive resources in few hands.
E.g., the reality that rising cost of living and expected consumer demands has been met with declining wages and almost non-existent union and political representation.
by undergroundman March 1, 2011
Get the Social class mug.Quite possibly one of the most exquisite and magnificent cars ever made. The G-Class is a hulking SUV with a striking, intimidating, yet elegant body. It's design pays homage to the original 1970's G-Class, a military vehicle built to endure the toughest terrain. When you start up one of these beasts, you are greeted by a deep bellow. Although these cars may look and sound very intimidating, they by no means want to kill you. Inside the G-Class, you will find exquisite leather and wood, along with a display on the center console. These magnificent cars are hand crafted by Mercedes-Benz and are thoroughly inspected before being sold. Despite being an enormous titan of a car, it isn't slow. It has the ability to annihilate any rice burner or muscle car that challenges it. This car also possesses it's predecessor's endurance. The G-Class is the most capable luxury SUV, able to take on desert dunes and icy hills. Having driven one, I can say that this car possesses a lot of character. It makes you feel special. This car's price tag starts at around $115k, so it isn't cheap, but if you ever get the chance, buy one, you will never regret it.
by Bentley Flying Spur February 1, 2015
Get the G Class mug.Related Words
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Mercedes-Benz rival to the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series (including the 550i), Chrysler 300C, Jaaag XF, Lexus GS, Subaru Legacy and Volvo S80.
The W212 generation (2009) E-Class customers could be had with a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, 3.0-litre and 3.5-litre six-cylinder, 4.7-litre turbocharged, 5.5-litre naturally-aspirated and twin-turbocharged eight-cylinder petrol engines and 2.1-litre turbocharged and twin-turbocharged four-cylinder and 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engines.
The E63 AMG variant used a 6.2-litre eight-cylinder petrol engine.
The W212 generation (2009) E-Class customers could be had with a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, 3.0-litre and 3.5-litre six-cylinder, 4.7-litre turbocharged, 5.5-litre naturally-aspirated and twin-turbocharged eight-cylinder petrol engines and 2.1-litre turbocharged and twin-turbocharged four-cylinder and 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engines.
The E63 AMG variant used a 6.2-litre eight-cylinder petrol engine.
by JaaagMan March 24, 2012
Get the E-Class mug.The financially 'comfortable' sociopolictical group that most people aspire to as a base level of social standing, whilst treating the same 'class' with derision for thier mundanely suburban lifestyle and location.
by EducatedChav June 17, 2009
Get the Middle Class mug.4 letter word subject class popularized in the United States without a clear purpose or direction of application.
Stages:
Elementary- The basics of addition, substraction, multiplication and division are learned.
Middle School- Basics of algebra for apparently 3 years. Learn to lose all primary math skills with the introduction of uber calculators.
High School-
>> Algebra again, reteaching everything done in middle school in about a week.
>> Geometry, learn how much a cup can hold and how to plug numbers in, in place of letters.
>> Algebra 2, finally figure out functions are just equations of primary math that you plug numbers into. No previous algebra experience necessary to pass. Screw around with moving letters around all year.
>> Calculus, learn how to calculate the volume of a donut and the area under the curves of random lines using differential calculations. Useful, but the calculator does it faster and more accurately and generally common sense guesses will suffice. Get lots of homework and an unintelligible foreign teacher.
>> Statistics, what are the odds of you failing that class? Practice the statistical probability by using your scantron tests as one big lottery ticket.
Stages:
Elementary- The basics of addition, substraction, multiplication and division are learned.
Middle School- Basics of algebra for apparently 3 years. Learn to lose all primary math skills with the introduction of uber calculators.
High School-
>> Algebra again, reteaching everything done in middle school in about a week.
>> Geometry, learn how much a cup can hold and how to plug numbers in, in place of letters.
>> Algebra 2, finally figure out functions are just equations of primary math that you plug numbers into. No previous algebra experience necessary to pass. Screw around with moving letters around all year.
>> Calculus, learn how to calculate the volume of a donut and the area under the curves of random lines using differential calculations. Useful, but the calculator does it faster and more accurately and generally common sense guesses will suffice. Get lots of homework and an unintelligible foreign teacher.
>> Statistics, what are the odds of you failing that class? Practice the statistical probability by using your scantron tests as one big lottery ticket.
y=ln(e^(rt)+x) wtf that ain't no math that all letters and a chinese hat biatch! Friggin math class!
by eliteskills.com April 26, 2004
Get the math class mug.by Cpt.Bob October 16, 2003
Get the gym class mug.by alyssa30 December 12, 2008
Get the pure class mug.