Capitalism historically challenged ascribed status by rewarding fortune
Evidence
Contemporary liberal societies view ascribed status systems like feudalism or racism as insidious. The modern ideal is to organize society as a system of achieved status, where a higher position is based on personal achievements rather than immutable characteristics. The first challenge to ascribed status arrived with capitalism, as businesspeople could earn esteem and status benefits through amassing fortunes alone. — W. David Marx, Status and Culture, 83
Categorization
- XREF: connects to: Major ideologies merely replace one status hierarchy with another — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 821; Post-1877 capitalism used differential reward by race to stabilize wealth; Industrial capitalism rewarded market skill over family status in England (+2 more)