Final answer:
Max Weber identified three primary dimensions of social stratification: class, status, and power. These dimensions determine an individual's position within the social hierarchy, which is influenced by factors such as socioeconomic status, prestige, and political connections, leading to a complex system of unequal distribution of resources and opportunities.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Max Weber, the three primary dimensions of social stratification are class, status, and power. Weber's analysis suggests that society is divided on the basis of not just class, which is economically determined, but also on the basis of status, which relates to noneconomic factors such as education, kinship, and religion, as well as power, which is the level of authority an individual holds over others.
In his work 'Classes, Stände, Parties,' Weber discusses how these three dimensions interact to form a complex system of social hierarchy where social standing can be influenced by one's socioeconomic status, prestige, and political party connections. This stratification system is indicative of the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and advantages within a society.
Social stratification is not static, however, and can change based on social mobility, which describes the movement between different social strata. While wealth, income, and the accumulation of resources are significant factors that define social class, other attributes such as wisdom, charisma, and even age and family background can also impact an individual’s social standing within different cultures.