A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

According to Weberian theory, what argument does Braverman present about the workforce?

1. They are still part of the middle class

2. They have become proletarianised

3. They belong to an intermediate class

4. They enjoy high levels of job security

The correct answer is: They have become proletarianised

Braverman's argument about the workforce, in line with Weberian theory, suggests that workers have become proletarianised. This concept refers to the process by which skilled workers lose their autonomy and are transformed into a class of wage laborers who perform repetitive, routinized tasks with limited control over their work. In this view, the workforce is seen as increasingly losing their individual skills and creativity, which aligns with the broader sociological perspective on how industrial and post-industrial economies reshape labor relations. As industries adopt more standardized methods of production, workers often find themselves in a position where they have less power, lower wages, and diminished job satisfaction. This loss of control and skill devaluation indicates a shift toward a proletarian identity, characterized by the lack of ownership or significant influence in their work environment. The argument aligns with Weber’s focus on class, status, and power, where the emergence of a more distinct working class reflects broader changes in the structure of society and the economy. Understanding this perspective allows for a deeper comprehension of labor dynamics in contemporary society, as seen through the lens of capitalist development.