Final answer:
Max Weber's theory of social inequality initially considered economic factors related to class, status, and power, with an analysis that encompassed both economic and non-economic determinants including the influential role of religion, education, and political connections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Max Weber began his theory of social inequality by looking at economic factors, with his focus on class, status, and power. However, Weber's analysis extended beyond solely economic determinants. He recognized that society was split between owners and laborers, which aligned with his view on class. Status, according to Weber, was influenced by non-economic factors such as education, kinship, and religion.
The role of religion in social change was particularly prominent in his work The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, where he argued the Protestant work ethic had a significant impact on the development of capitalism, as Protestant values were more conducive to capitalist ideology. Weber's multidimensional approach to social stratification involved socioeconomic status, prestige, and political connections, emphasizing that different groups were affected by education, race, and gender, and moderated by class differences and perceptions of legitimacy.