Opacidade (ou vitalidade) das classes sociais?

Abstract

The article examines the analytical potential notion of the social classes, having as reference the reflection based in some recent works about this theme. The republished book of Sedi Hirano emphasizes theoretical and methodological relevant elements of the works realized by Max Weber and Karl Marx. This last author differs from Weber when he concepts the social classes in the sphere of the occupied position in the production world, while the first author is worried with the possession of goods and opportunities regulated by the market. Sedi Hirano's book talks about castes, social groups having their own juridical status and social classes. Klauss Eder in his book emphasizes the cultural element, which can atlribute analytical tenor to social classes involved through conflicts and not reducible movements in the structural plan. José Alcides Santos' book analyses the presence of classes in the Brazilian society, articulating this author's theoretical reflection with the construction of a typology based on empiric data. The authors' studies, through distinct views, affirm the increasing of a typical complexity of the contemporaneous society, instead of the end of a society shared in classes.