Max Weber was a sociologist who created the conceptual tool of the ideal type; meaning that in order to understand a social phenomenon, we must create exaggerated ideal types to compare to the actual elements. Weber explains that the ideal type is derived from the real world, but not a mirror of that; thus, they become one-sided exaggerations (Ritzer 117). Ideal types are useful in helping us understand the real world, and making sense of it. Also, the ideal type is not to be set in stone since the social world is constantly changing, and they do not always have to be positive or correct.
In addition to this theory, Weber defines three categories of the distribution of power within a community: class, status, and power. When defining class, it is important to recognize that this is not on a basis of a community, but rather a group of people who share the same economic interests, a mutual relation to the labor market, and experience common components of their life chances. Thus, the group of people who commonly possess these components, are in the same “class situation.” In contrast to classes, status groups are normally communities whose people share the same style of life (Gerth and Mills 186). Also, while classes are economically determined, statuses are normally determined by social prestige or honor. Lastly, Weber defines parties as a group that is determined by their social power: their ability to impose specific rules to others. More specifically the distribution of power within gangs can be seen through the perspective of parties and status groups.
At a glance, one may perceive gangs as irrational and merely a disruption to the society, however, what is often overlooked is the strict and strategic organization found within them. As illustrated on a Westside Crip website the order goes as follows: Leaders, Advisors/Suppliers, Political Organizations/Communications.... Recruiters/Street Soldiers/Runners(Carriers)/Lookouts(Spotters). Gangs are not just a cluster of people, but rather an organized party that looks to impose their beliefs on others. According to Weber, an important aspect of a “party” is that they are highly organized. As stated in Ritzer, “parties, which are always structures struggling for domination, are very frequently organized in a very strict ‘authoritarian’ fashion...” (195). This goes to show how gangs can be perceived as parties because their purpose is to dominate over others, and instill fear in them. Gangs typically achieve this power through their “authoritarian” style of business; those at the top direct communications and have the final say in important decisions. The hierarchy within gangs permits the “party” to exercise their power by having superiors direct the actions of those below them, such as a “street soldier.” In addition, Weber writes that “party actions are always directed toward a goal which is striven for in planned manner” (Ritzer 194). This is also evident in the way that gangs operate their drug deals or violent actions. A particular gang may be on the lookout for a certain member of another group, and in order to carry out a murder, the gang always strategizes where and when will the target be at a given time. Gang members have specific goals in mind, and in order to execute their actions, they must always plan. Another key feature in parties is that their action is for the purpose of acquiring more power. Such is the same within the structure of gangs; the action that they exhibit through acts of violence or drug distribution displays their acquisition of power in the gang world. These acts pose threats to other parties who do not have an equal or higher rate for these actions, thus, the gang receives a higher status.
Weber also describes the distribution of power within “status.” Members in a gang can experience being in a status group by their assignation to a title, i.e. a lookout or supplier. Every given title in a gang has specific roles and expectations that they must meet. Although some members may be at the bottom or at the top, all people are knowledgeable of their membership to the group. Gangs contain status because of their lifestyle choices. According to Weber, “above all else a specific style of life can be expected from all those who wish to belong to the circle” (Ritzer 187), meaning that the people involved in this status group must share the same qualities and choices about their life. For example, gang members may all live within the same realm of neighborhoods; their choices about housing may consist of multiple members living together, or living in the same kinds of neighborhoods. We can also find that there is a stratification within gangs that monopolizes the “ideal and material good or opportunities” (Ritzer 190). Those who are in the higher realms of the gang hierarchy may keep to themselves the goods that are obtained by other members of the group simply because they hold a higher status.
In synopsis, Weber’s theory of the distribution of power is determined by class, status, and party; however, gangs can be highly associated with status and parties because they maintain the same lifestyle choices and strive to acquire social power. In simplistic terms, gangs are a structured group who hold power, and resist any participation of outsiders who do not hold the same status or party ideals.
In addition to this theory, Weber defines three categories of the distribution of power within a community: class, status, and power. When defining class, it is important to recognize that this is not on a basis of a community, but rather a group of people who share the same economic interests, a mutual relation to the labor market, and experience common components of their life chances. Thus, the group of people who commonly possess these components, are in the same “class situation.” In contrast to classes, status groups are normally communities whose people share the same style of life (Gerth and Mills 186). Also, while classes are economically determined, statuses are normally determined by social prestige or honor. Lastly, Weber defines parties as a group that is determined by their social power: their ability to impose specific rules to others. More specifically the distribution of power within gangs can be seen through the perspective of parties and status groups.
At a glance, one may perceive gangs as irrational and merely a disruption to the society, however, what is often overlooked is the strict and strategic organization found within them. As illustrated on a Westside Crip website the order goes as follows: Leaders, Advisors/Suppliers, Political Organizations/Communications.... Recruiters/Street Soldiers/Runners(Carriers)/Lookouts(Spotters). Gangs are not just a cluster of people, but rather an organized party that looks to impose their beliefs on others. According to Weber, an important aspect of a “party” is that they are highly organized. As stated in Ritzer, “parties, which are always structures struggling for domination, are very frequently organized in a very strict ‘authoritarian’ fashion...” (195). This goes to show how gangs can be perceived as parties because their purpose is to dominate over others, and instill fear in them. Gangs typically achieve this power through their “authoritarian” style of business; those at the top direct communications and have the final say in important decisions. The hierarchy within gangs permits the “party” to exercise their power by having superiors direct the actions of those below them, such as a “street soldier.” In addition, Weber writes that “party actions are always directed toward a goal which is striven for in planned manner” (Ritzer 194). This is also evident in the way that gangs operate their drug deals or violent actions. A particular gang may be on the lookout for a certain member of another group, and in order to carry out a murder, the gang always strategizes where and when will the target be at a given time. Gang members have specific goals in mind, and in order to execute their actions, they must always plan. Another key feature in parties is that their action is for the purpose of acquiring more power. Such is the same within the structure of gangs; the action that they exhibit through acts of violence or drug distribution displays their acquisition of power in the gang world. These acts pose threats to other parties who do not have an equal or higher rate for these actions, thus, the gang receives a higher status.
Weber also describes the distribution of power within “status.” Members in a gang can experience being in a status group by their assignation to a title, i.e. a lookout or supplier. Every given title in a gang has specific roles and expectations that they must meet. Although some members may be at the bottom or at the top, all people are knowledgeable of their membership to the group. Gangs contain status because of their lifestyle choices. According to Weber, “above all else a specific style of life can be expected from all those who wish to belong to the circle” (Ritzer 187), meaning that the people involved in this status group must share the same qualities and choices about their life. For example, gang members may all live within the same realm of neighborhoods; their choices about housing may consist of multiple members living together, or living in the same kinds of neighborhoods. We can also find that there is a stratification within gangs that monopolizes the “ideal and material good or opportunities” (Ritzer 190). Those who are in the higher realms of the gang hierarchy may keep to themselves the goods that are obtained by other members of the group simply because they hold a higher status.
In synopsis, Weber’s theory of the distribution of power is determined by class, status, and party; however, gangs can be highly associated with status and parties because they maintain the same lifestyle choices and strive to acquire social power. In simplistic terms, gangs are a structured group who hold power, and resist any participation of outsiders who do not hold the same status or party ideals.