Weber on class, status- groups and politics; historical context and contemporary relevance

Abstract This article outlines a main theme in Weber’s works by using a conceptualisation of class, social status and party. Weber’s understanding of contemporary Germany is basically an analysis of the emergence of class society and the end of an estate-based economy. In a class situation, according to Weber, individuals find themselves isolated from one another in mutual competition due to class situation, bereft of fellowship and solidarity. A status group, on the other hand, is defined by fellowship and lifestyle and a shared perception of honour. In terms of Weber’s conceptualisation one can describe the contemporary crises in capitalism, due to lack of collective action capacities amongst both the bourgeoise and labour class, which can be described as a transformation from solidaristic status-groups to pure class action within the labour class as well as within the capital class.