Sociology, Eleventh Edition Social Stratification A System by Which a Society Ranks Categories of People in a Hierarchy

Sociology, Eleventh Edition Basic Principles A trait of society –Does not reflect individual differences, but society’s structure Persists over generations –Social mobility happens slowly Universal but variable –While universal, it varies in type Involves not just inequality but beliefs –Ideologies justify existence of social stratification

Sociology, Eleventh Edition The Caste System Social stratification based on ascription Birth determines social position in four distinct ways –Occupation –Marriage within caste –Social life is restricted to “own kind” –Belief systems are often tied t religious dogma Caste system is illegal, but elements survive

Sociology, Eleventh Edition Class Systems Social stratification based on both birth and individual achievement Social mobility for people with education and skills All people gain equal standing before the law Work involves some personal choice Meritocracy: based on personal merit Status consistency

Sociology, Eleventh Edition Stratification Changes Caste to Meritocracy The United Kingdom –The three estates: nobility, clergy, commoners Japan –Nobility, samurai, commoners, burakumin (outcasts) Former Soviet Union –Feudal estate system –Russian revolution “classless society” –Perestroika “restructuring” China - Economic change - A new class system

Sociology, Eleventh Edition Ideology Cultural beliefs that justify stratification Plato –Every culture considers some type of inequality “fair” Marx –Capitalist societies keep wealth and power for a few Spencer –Societies “survival of the fittest”

Sociology, Eleventh Edition The Davis-Moore Thesis Social stratification has beneficial consequences for the operation of a society The greater the importance of a position, the more rewards a society attaches to it Egalitarian societies offer little incentive for people to try their best Critical evaluation

Sociology, Eleventh Edition Karl Marx: Class and Conflict Most people have one of two relationships with the means of production –Own productive property “bourgeoisie” –Work for others “proletariat” Capitalism creates great inequality in power and wealth This oppression would drive the working majority to organize and overthrow the capitalism

Sociology, Eleventh Edition Why No Marxist Revolution? Fragmentation of the capitalist class Higher standard of living More worker organizations More extensive legal protections

Sociology, Eleventh Edition Was Marx Right? Wealth still remains highly concentrated –40% of privately owned property in 1% of population White-collar jobs offer little over past century in –Income, security or satisfaction Workers benefits came from struggle –Conflict and distrust still remain as obstacles between management and workers –Little has been won recently Law still protects private property of rich

Sociology, Eleventh Edition Max Weber: Class, Status, and Power Socioeconomic status (SES) –Composite ranking based on various dimensions of social inequality Class position –Viewed “classes” as a continuum from high to low Status Power Inequality in history

Sociology, Eleventh Edition Stratification and Interaction Conspicuous consumption: -buying and using products because of the “statement” they make about social positions.

Sociology, Eleventh Edition Stratification and Technology : a Global Perspective Hunting and gathering societies Horticultural, pastoral, and agrarian societies Industrial societies The Kuznet’s curve –Greater technological sophistication generally is accompanied by more pronounced social stratification

Sociology, Eleventh Edition Social Stratification Facts and values “Harrison Bergeron”