Final answer:
The statement that social classes emerge when some members of society own a greater share of resources than others is true. Social stratification is based on the unequal distribution of wealth and resources, leading to distinct classes with varying levels of power and control over their lives.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social classes emerge when some members of society own a greater share of resources than others do. This is True. The accumulation of wealth and resources leads to social stratification, creating distinctions between different groups in society. For example, those with more resources often form an upper class, characterized by greater power and control over both their own lives and the lives of others. In contrast, the lower class typically has less control over their work and lives due to their lack of resources. The ownership and preservation of resources have been a pressing concern throughout history, from feudal systems to the modern capitalist society described by Karl Marx. In the United States, economic inequality persists, with clear divisions between the upper, middle, and lower classes and their relative social mobility.
Historically, the emergence of property and capitalist economies intensified class conflict. Individuals or corporations owning the means of production in a capitalist system exemplifies how the control over resources can define social classes and influence societal structures. The market revolution and separate spheres are historical instances of how economic and social changes furthered the definition and division of social classes.