Power and Stratification Term Paper

Social power without capital under capitalism does not exist, unlike previous eras where, for example, the medieval church exerted great influence over policy as a class, in greater proportion than the (not inconsiderable) wealth it held. However, today, land, capital, and the ability to make money off of money are the primary means by which influence is leveraged. Having money perpetuates money. This is how rich hold onto their places in the social hierarchy. Money buys education, commodities like the 'right' clothes that signify success, money buys social influence for one's self and one's children, money buys property from which one can make more money, money buys media influence, and quite often the ears of the politically connected. The necessity of technology to do everything from allowing a business run efficiently to applying to college further underlines the ability of the digital divide between rich and poor peoples and nations to perpetuate inequality.