Upper Classes
The Uppers
Question
Using Jamie Johnson's film as evidence, does everyone in society have access to become a member of the upper class? Why or why not? Be specific! Use examples from the film.
- Answer after reading the textbook chapter 5 AND watching the assigned film, Born Rich.
Upper Class
This week we will learn about the upper class and the elite to better understand Social Problems, particularly inequality. The social class structure itself contributes to inequality. Remember, at the end of each of the chapters in our textbook we list terms that you should know. We also include some links to additional materials.
We will start by reading Chapter 5, the upper class. In this module we will watch a film, Born Rich and see our many lessons within the social group of the documentary.
Learning objectives
- Identifying the Upper Class
- Wealth & Debts of the Rich
- Consumption
- Philanthropy
- Elite Theories
- Race, Ethnicity, Sex of the Upper Class
The Uppers
We will learn that the upper class is one that is highly stratified. There is old money and new money, established families and newcomers who are still not accepted by the well-established families that have been wealthy for generations, and hundreds of years. We must consider the difference between those who innovated and earned money to those who are established in the upper class as royals, blue bloods, and other multi-generational wealthy.
Here is a link to the current upper class members who have individual wealth of a billion or more.
Forbes list of BillionairesLinks to an external site.
In my lecture notes, I also link to Professor Domfoff's study and website focusing on the upper class. He asks if the upper class has class consciousness or does this category only exist for social scientists to help discuss a loosely formed group of people with only wealth in common. Domhoff shows us that the corporate community has a great amount of class consciousness. And that they work together to maintain their self-interests.
William Domhoff studies the upper classes and maps their connections through the Boards of Directors: Domhoff: Who Rules America Corporate CommunityLinks to an external site.
Your Application #1, borrows Domhoff's analysis method. By mapping the members of the board of director, we can see the connections the upper classes have with one another.
When we talk about capitalism, many argue it is the most efficient economic method as it allows for competition to benefit consumers and producers. The argument is that when companies fight for the consumer's dollars, it drives down prices and increases quality and innovation.
But what if there is no competition? What if the business community works together to price fix, limit choice and competition? By analyzing the social networks of board members from the corporate community, Domhoff exposes this to be true. The board members sit on each other's boards of directors. Why would ATT share a board seat with their competitor Time Warner? Because they are a social class. They share class consciousness and work towards their class interests.
To see how this looks in real life, I want us to watch another film by Jamie Johnson, Born Rich. This film challenges the belief system of meritocracy -- the idea that we are ranked in society by our skills and abilities and not by our social connections.
Born RichLinks to an external site.
As you watch this film, keep in mind how this social class has a lifestyle different from our own. Specifically, who do their social connections differ in families, education, peers, work, and marriage? And also, apply Marx, Domhoff, and Mills to this social class. They are the Power Elite and they do not work to earn this placement in society. How do they get they? They are born rich. How can we get there? We cannot.
We now explore the Political Economy of Social Problems: Wealth and Power. Social classes are structured and these classes structure inequality. We continue our exposure to theories and methods, and begin to analyze how the relationship between the means of production dictates social status and social placement. Part of this analysis exposes institutional problems: work, family, health and health care. Each social class has different access to resources, resulting in very different lifestyles and lives.
Social Class Learning objectives
- Apply the theory of materialism to analyze how the upper social classes create and maintain economic, prestige and power resources.
- Examine the origins of the middle classes and how these were shaped by modernity as a result of the superstructures of the family.
- Understand how the lower social classes are structured and the resulting consequences of being born poor.
- Review mobility forms and theories