Karl Marx’s ideas of economic stratification are hinging upon class-consciousness and inequalities in the society due to inequitable access to the means of production. The bourgeoisies versus proletariats is a historical phenomenon (neue rheinishe: December 1947). US society has historically been divided and shaped on the basis of access to the resources. In this perspective Marx provides a strong theoretical framework for the analysis of social structure.
The class-consciousness in the capitalist society like United States, according to Marx was instilled in the minds of feudal and capitalist bourgeoisies and not in the working class proletariat. He gave a strong and emotional appeal to the laborers of the world to unite. The communist manifesto draws all strength from Marx theory of class-consciousness. He emphasized that unless the laborers were conscious of their rights the exploitation was bound to continue.
However, to say that economic reasons are the only basis of class stratification in society is unrealistic. Another weakness is that Marx has never stressed upon competitive class feeling within the working classes themselves. The stark division of US society into only two classes i.e. upper and lower class without reference to the middle class is another theoretical gap in Communist manifesto that can be found when explaining income disparity within US Society. Cultural affinities, historical connections and common aspirations of people are not seen in Marxian theory of class struggle and class-consciousness and social stratification (Weber, Max 1976).
An unending conflict situation between the laborer and employers is also not the order of the day in the US society. Therefore despite some strengths Marx theory has also some weaknesses but it definitely fostered and contributed to the classical sociological thought of 19th and 20th century in the US intelligentsias. Labor unionism and land reform activists around the world put his ideas in a high esteem. It is the case with United States. After debacle of Soviet Union in late 1980s and fall of socialism in most of Eastern Europe he Marxists have also began counting them selves in the list of post modernists.
Today the world has changed entirely. Globalization has changed the modes of production. The employers employee relations are determined by the labor laws, industrial relations commissions and labor courts are prevalent the world over (Giddens, Anthony. Oxford 2001). Labor unions as bargaining partners are present in every productive concern. International Labor Organization is the main UN body to oversee the production relations in all the member countries. The laborer wages are determined through contracts. Social security and old age benefits are the hallmarks of industry. NGOs and civil society organizations like human rights watch take care of employees’ rights. Income disparity in the United States particularly and in the capitalist world generally cannot be explained alone by the Marx theory.
However it is suggested that Marxism may not be taken at the outset as an anti capitalist approach. His approach is people centered and majority of the people in the world are poor and have skewed access to the resources. This inequitable distribution of wealth is the cause of poverty, hunger and death around the world. US have also stark economic disparities within the ranks and files of society. The poor remains poor and rich become richer.
The gap between rich and poor is increasing. Public policy options can take Marxism as one of the angle to look at the poor of US society. Therefore, it can be concluded that the Marxism explains largely but not sufficiently, the income disparity in the US society.
References
The original lectures of Karl Marx published by him in neue rheinishe zeitung a German language magazine 1847.
Weber, Max 1976; the protestant ethic and spirit of capitalism. London 1904.
Giddens, Anthony; Sociology. Blackwell Publishers. Oxford 2001.