Globalisation and Class Structure (AQA A-Level Sociology): Revision Notes

Globalisation and Class Structure

From national to global class analysis

Globalisation refers to the increasing interconnectedness of the world through economic, political and cultural links. This process has transformed how sociologists understand class structure, moving beyond single-nation analysis to examine global patterns of inequality.

Traditionally, sociological research focused on class structure within individual countries, such as studying the working class in the UK. However, globalisation has changed this approach in several ways:

• Production and capital have become global phenomena, with workers and resources spanning multiple nations
• Political power has become internationalised through organisations like the EU and UN, making it difficult to assess someone's power without considering their international influence
• Stratification itself has become a global system rather than just a national one

Global stratification of nations

Countries can be ranked or stratified based on their level of development, which includes factors like economic growth and living standards. Sociologist Luke Martell (2010) identifies three levels in this global hierarchy:

The developed world

Countries like the UK and United States have got richer through globalisation. These nations benefit from their established economic and political advantages in the global system.

Fast-developing nations

Some parts of the developing world, particularly countries like South Korea and China since the 1970s, have experienced rapid economic growth. These nations have focused on manufacturing goods for global export, benefiting from lower production costs and access to international markets.

However, these fast-developing countries face ongoing challenges:

• High levels of absolute poverty persist (around 80% in some cases)
• Wages remain low for workers
• Working conditions are often poor, with long hours and inadequate health and safety standards
• Manufactured goods may be too expensive for local workers to purchase themselves

Nations that remain poor

Other parts of the developing world have remained poor despite globalisation, lacking the resources or opportunities to benefit from global economic integration.

The transnational capitalist class

Some Marxist sociologists argue that globalisation has created new forms of class structure that operate across national boundaries. Leslie Sklair (2001) developed the concept of the transnational capitalist class - a global ruling class centred around powerful transnational corporations (TNCs).

According to Sklair, this transnational capitalist class consists of four fractions that work together to maintain global capitalist dominance:

The corporate fraction

Owners and top executives who control TNCs and often hold power in other organisations such as charities and universities. They make key decisions about global production and investment.

The state fraction

Bureaucrats and politicians who use their political influence to promote TNC interests. They help create policies that benefit global corporations.

The technical fraction

Professionals who work in key roles for TNCs, using their skills to develop corporations' products and services. This includes managers, engineers, and technical specialists.

The consumerist fraction

Merchants and media companies that control the organisations delivering products and services to the public. They shape consumer demand and cultural attitudes.

Global working class and labour division

Alongside this global ruling class, sociologists like Fröbel et al (1980) argue there is also a global working class. They describe a new international division of labour where TNCs manage production across multiple countries, with labour-intensive manufacturing often taking place in developing nations.

This global working class typically faces:

• Few rights and limited legal protections
• Low pay compared to workers in developed countries
• Exploitation by the transnational capitalist class

Case study: the food industry and Mexico

Criticisms of transnational capitalist class theory

The concept of a transnational capitalist class faces several criticisms:

National structures may persist

Some argue that global stratification is not replacing national stratification but rather operating alongside it. In Mexico, for example, TNCs may have simply taken advantage of existing class structures rather than creating entirely new ones.

State resistance

The state fraction doesn't always support TNCs. The Mexican government recently introduced a soda tax to reduce soft drink consumption, showing that national governments can resist corporate interests when public health concerns arise.

Global migration and class structure

Globalisation involves the movement of people as well as capital. There are over 200 million migrants worldwide, with most movement occurring from developing to developed countries.

Types of migration

• Economic migrants: People seeking higher pay and better opportunities in other countries
• Asylum seekers: Those fleeing war zones or oppression, looking for a safe place to live

Impact on class structure

Migration affects class structures in several ways:

Expansion of working class: Many immigrants fill low-skill or unskilled jobs, expanding the working class in destination countries. Research suggests this trend may continue across future generations.

Downward mobility for skilled migrants: Modood et al (1997) found that some skilled immigrants experienced downward class mobility when they arrived in the UK. However, the children of these immigrants, particularly those of Indian or Chinese origin, often moved into middle-class jobs.

Creation of exploited sub-classes: Mass illegal immigration in developed countries has led to the formation of sub-classes of exploited workers. These people may have been trafficked against their will and face exploitation through low pay, long hours and poor working conditions. Employers may threaten to report them to authorities if they complain.