Relationship Between Class Stratification And Sport

Introduction: This essay discusses in detail about the relationship between class stratification and sport in regards to two sociologists views; Karl Marx and Bero Rigauer. These theories specify that sports are shaped by unequal distribution of power in social classes demonstrated in terms of access, control, and social mobility. Karl Marx, was an 18th century German philosopher, economist, sociologist, journalist, and revolutionary socialist. He was one of the first theorist to develop a conflict perspective on how society functions. His theory became known as Marxism, he saw that the ruling class represented and ruled the common interest of all social groups. Continuing with Marxism, it is a social class conflict within capitalism that†¦show more content†¦Moreover, he argues that the capitalist class has completely taken over the sport and have become pre-determined due to social categories. (Cashmore, 2000, pg. 95). Structures of social inequality among a group of people are called social stratification. Social stratification is an institutionalized system of power arrangements – of domination and subordination (wealthy vs. poor) because those who retain social power and resources can control and shape the lives of those who lack them (Sage, 1990, pg. 35). Due to each inequality there is an unequal distribution of power among social classes that shape the patterns of peoples social lives. Class stratification is driven by the economic and political system – capitalism. This system is empowered by private investors or individuals that become owners of a production and distribution of goods and services. Capitalist hold power over those who produce their goods and services, also known as workers (Sage, 1990, pg. 37). Furthermore, this means the capitalist class have more access to resources and power than the workers that lack productivity. This imbalance proves that the capitalist views of the world confine the lower-class views of the world which is not how it should be portrayed. Therefore, relating this to sport the structures of social inequality are displayed through the access, control and social mobility that is given. Some factors that we can take into account when studying sports in