Key Arguments

• Weber states that 'The occupational division of given human groups can vary a) according to the extent to which typical and lasting occupations have developed in general,' and lists conditions 'Decisive here is α. the level to which needs have developed (Bedarfsentwicklung), β. the development of (primarily) industrial technology, γ. the development either of αα) large households—this is important for the unfree distribution of occupations, or of ββ) market Chancen—this is important for the free distribution of occupations,' tying both unfree and free occupational systems to broader structural developments.
• He adds a second dimension: occupational structure varies 'b) each according to the nature and degree of specification by occupation or specialisation in economic activity (Wirtschaften). Decisive here is above all α. the market situation (determined by purchasing power) for the outputs of specialised economic units, β. the manner in which disposal over capital goods is distributed;' indicating that demand and property structure condition how fine‑grained and stable specialisation can be.
• Third, he notes variation 'c) and according to the degree and kind of occupational continuity or change of occupation. Decisive for the latter are primarily α. the degree of training that specialised work presupposes, and β. the degree to which Chancen for gain remain stable, or change; which is in turn dependent on the degree of stability in the distribution and nature of income on the one hand, and on the other, in that of technology.'
• He concludes that 'Finally, important in shaping all occupations are status-based (ständisch) structures and the status-based Chancen and educational forms that they create for particular kinds of skilled occupations,' highlighting the independent impact of social honour and status‑linked education.

Source Quotes

Heterocephalous occupational specialisation: factory worker, official. The occupational division of given human groups can vary a) according to the extent to which typical and lasting occupations have developed in general. Decisive here is α. the level to which needs have developed (Bedarfsentwicklung), β. the development of (primarily) industrial technology, γ. the development either of αα) large households—this is important for the unfree distribution of occupations, or of ββ) market Chancen—this is important for the free distribution of occupations, b) each according to the nature and degree of specification by occupation or specialisation in economic activity (Wirtschaften). Decisive here is above all α. the market situation (determined by purchasing power) for the outputs of specialised economic units, β. the manner in which disposal over capital goods is distributed; c) and according to the degree and kind of occupational continuity or change of occupation.

The occupational division of given human groups can vary a) according to the extent to which typical and lasting occupations have developed in general. Decisive here is α. the level to which needs have developed (Bedarfsentwicklung), β. the development of (primarily) industrial technology, γ. the development either of αα) large households—this is important for the unfree distribution of occupations, or of ββ) market Chancen—this is important for the free distribution of occupations, b) each according to the nature and degree of specification by occupation or specialisation in economic activity (Wirtschaften). Decisive here is above all α. the market situation (determined by purchasing power) for the outputs of specialised economic units, β. the manner in which disposal over capital goods is distributed; c) and according to the degree and kind of occupational continuity or change of occupation. Decisive for the latter are primarily α. the degree of training that specialised work presupposes, and β. the degree to which Chancen for gain remain stable, or change; which is in turn dependent on the degree of stability in the distribution and nature of income on the one hand, and on the other, in that of technology.

Decisive here is α. the level to which needs have developed (Bedarfsentwicklung), β. the development of (primarily) industrial technology, γ. the development either of αα) large households—this is important for the unfree distribution of occupations, or of ββ) market Chancen—this is important for the free distribution of occupations, b) each according to the nature and degree of specification by occupation or specialisation in economic activity (Wirtschaften). Decisive here is above all α. the market situation (determined by purchasing power) for the outputs of specialised economic units, β. the manner in which disposal over capital goods is distributed; c) and according to the degree and kind of occupational continuity or change of occupation. Decisive for the latter are primarily α. the degree of training that specialised work presupposes, and β. the degree to which Chancen for gain remain stable, or change; which is in turn dependent on the degree of stability in the distribution and nature of income on the one hand, and on the other, in that of technology. Finally, important in shaping all occupations are status-based (ständisch) structures and the status-based Chancen and educational forms that they create for particular kinds of skilled occupations.

Decisive for the latter are primarily α. the degree of training that specialised work presupposes, and β. the degree to which Chancen for gain remain stable, or change; which is in turn dependent on the degree of stability in the distribution and nature of income on the one hand, and on the other, in that of technology. Finally, important in shaping all occupations are status-based (ständisch) structures and the status-based Chancen and educational forms that they create for particular kinds of skilled occupations. Only work that presupposes a minimum of training, and for which gainful employment (Erwerbschancen) is continuously available, is the object of independent and dependable occupations.

Key Concepts

• The occupational division of given human groups can vary a) according to the extent to which typical and lasting occupations have developed in general. Decisive here is α. the level to which needs have developed (Bedarfsentwicklung), β. the development of (primarily) industrial technology, γ. the development either of αα) large households—this is important for the unfree distribution of occupations, or of ββ) market Chancen—this is important for the free distribution of occupations,
• b) each according to the nature and degree of specification by occupation or specialisation in economic activity (Wirtschaften). Decisive here is above all α. the market situation (determined by purchasing power) for the outputs of specialised economic units, β. the manner in which disposal over capital goods is distributed;
• c) and according to the degree and kind of occupational continuity or change of occupation. Decisive for the latter are primarily α. the degree of training that specialised work presupposes, and β. the degree to which Chancen for gain remain stable, or change; which is in turn dependent on the degree of stability in the distribution and nature of income on the one hand, and on the other, in that of technology.
• Finally, important in shaping all occupations are status-based (ständisch) structures and the status-based Chancen and educational forms that they create for particular kinds of skilled occupations.

Context

Middle of §24, where Weber analyses structural determinants of occupational division and links them to needs, technology, market, property, income stability, and status.