In the social theory of class, status and party, Max Weber defines and maps out the different types of powers that can be obtained in the social world. With the idea of class power, Weber explains that class is about ones socio-economic standing and his/her ability to gain economic prestige. Class deals only with economic prospects. Next, Weber explains that the theory of status power is strictly a consumption position that is based on lifestyle choices. Status focuses greatly on the sharing within a specific group only, restriction of social interaction and status traditions. Status typically involves a sense of community that is knowledgeable of the membership necessary to be accepted into the status group. Lastly, within the idea of the party power, Weber explains this as being power within an organization that has a goal, most likely has a hierarchy and most importantly impacts social structures.
Sorority life provides a clear modern day example of Weber’s theory of status power. Sororities (and fraternities) are social groups that stick to status traditions as well as distributing benefits within these specific groups only. For this blog I read an article and watched the ABC 7 news report titled: Alabama Sorority Accused of Discrimination. In September of 2013, it was reported that older alumni of a sorority at the University of Alabama told their current sisters not to let the already invited pledges back because they were black. Though one of the pledges had earned a 4.3 gpa and is a relative of a university trustee, due to the color of her skin she was initially unaccepted into the sorority. When reading this article, I began to think and apply this to Weber’s theory on status power. The reason why I did this is because although the fact that the predominately white sorority didn’t want to accept the pledges because of their race is an act of discrimination, it also proves that sororities can be looked upon as a status group that may follow “status traditions” as well as being a group that restricts social interaction or acceptance of another race. Another way to look at this through Weber’s theory of status could be through the reasoning behind why the sorority didn’t accept the African American pledges. Sure this may have just been a discriminatory action on their behalf, however they may have felt as if they were on a higher level in social status which made it okay for them to make this unethical decision.
In addition to status, when examining the idea of fraternities and sororities, Weber’s theory of party can be closely related to this as well. Fraternity’s and sororities are highly organized organizations that have a hierarchy in place. The hierarchy within the Greek organizations can be seen through the different positions that the members have. For example, in most fraternities and sororities, there will be a president, vice president, treasurer, someone over public relations, pledges, etc. Although Greek life is not necessarily a form of labor, when relating this to Weber we could look at this hierarchy as a form of bureaucracy, which he saw as essentially being a threat to the freedom of people in the society. These Greek organizations also play a role in the structure of universities and students lives and many fraternities and sororities have a mission statement that explains their goal (which is necessary for a “group” to be labeled a party).
Though the social theory of class, status and party explained by Max Weber has been around for many years now, it is still highly apparent in our everyday lives and can be seen frequently through many different structures (such as college Greek life) that are embedded in our society today.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/alabama-sorority-accused-discrimination-20289966