An unexpected theoretical contrast

Though Marxians have decried status divisions, they have not often articulated a theory about them; economic determinists especially emphasize broad class unity and underplay status stratification. In this context, Weber's social theory appears to provide a more explicit, finely structured analysis of social groupings. This important theoretical and moral conception helps to explain, a Weberian might insist, the blockage of international and internal solidarity.

Weber separated orders of economic class and social status. The former derive from either the possession of property (property classes) or the sale of goods and services (commercial classes) and broadly parallel the Marxian conception of classes emerging from ownership or control of the means of production; the latter stem from the maintenance of lifestyles that accord with customary or religious interpretations of social honor. Yet Weber did not present status hierarchy as independent of class structure. Instead, status frequently depends on class; for example, the “beautiful” and “good” style of the Greek gentlemen required wealth. In turn, status creates intraclass divisions; for instance, ethnic conflict between German citizen and Polish immigrant, on his view, overrode potential common interests.

As with imperialism, however, Weber proposed an abstract, transhistorical, ideal-typical concept of status.