Max Weber s Theories About Status And Social Stratification

Baseball in the 19th century was both an extracurricular activity and a cathartic activity for American society that suffered from the demands of industrialism. In order to better understand the sociological perspective of baseball in relation to the social context of its’ origination, this paper will consider baseball in the context of Max Weber’s theories about status and social stratification. Although his theories are seemingly similar to Karl Marx, their theories are essentially different. Marx primarily believes that economics and class are distinguishing factors of society; whereas, Weber believes that status and social stratification are the distinguishing factors of society. When applying a sociological perspective of Max Weber†¦show more content†¦An empirical example of the prestige associated with baseball in the 19th century was the elusive Knickerbocker Club, an example of a new social stratification, fraternities. â€Å"Among the clubs, highly r itualized relationships helped preserve the integrity of the early fraternity.† (Rader 14). These rituals were extensions of the highly ritualized rules of the game of baseball. And in a tertiary fashion, thus mimicked the highly organized bureaucratic rationalization of society. The Knickerbocker Club also went against societal norms by hosting raucous parties with lewd and baseless activities. These activities were aberrant in day-to-day existence, yet the Knickerbockers were able to get away with this kind of behavior. Additionally, one aspired to be a Knickerbocker, or at least like them. Possibly, the start of these lewd clubs was the catalyst for the changes in modesty during the 1920’s. Baseball, for Weber, gives the 19th century working class an opportunity to assimilate outside of their working affiliations, or Marxian-like class associations. Weber would have analyzed baseball by simultaneously reaffirming community interactions and involvement, which provided opportunity for exclusion and inclusion. Weber asserts that conflict is the most important element in society. The conflict