Dimensions of Stratification Chapter 8 Section 1 Chapter 8 Section 1

Social Stratification and Social Class  Social Stratification: ranking of people of groups according to their unequal access to scarce resources.  Each layer is related to social class.  Social Class: a segment of society whose members hold similar amounts of resources and share values, norms, and identifiable lifestyle.  Our society: Upper, middle, lower.  Developing countries: Upper and lower.  Social Stratification: ranking of people of groups according to their unequal access to scarce resources.  Each layer is related to social class.  Social Class: a segment of society whose members hold similar amounts of resources and share values, norms, and identifiable lifestyle.  Our society: Upper, middle, lower.  Developing countries: Upper and lower.

Economic Dimension  Karl Marx: believed that capitalist societies would become two class society.  Bourgeoisie: class that owns the means of production.  Proletariat: class that labors without owning the means of production.  Karl Marx: believed that capitalist societies would become two class society.  Bourgeoisie: class that owns the means of production.  Proletariat: class that labors without owning the means of production.

Economic Dimension continued…  Unequal distribution of economic resources.  Income: amount of money received by an individual or group over a specific time period.  Wealth: Total economic resources held by a person or group.  How wealth distributed in the U.S.?  million Americans living in poverty.  Richest 20% holds 84% of wealth.  Top 1% has 39% of wealth.  This is rising.  Unequal distribution of economic resources.  Income: amount of money received by an individual or group over a specific time period.  Wealth: Total economic resources held by a person or group.  How wealth distributed in the U.S.?  million Americans living in poverty.  Richest 20% holds 84% of wealth.  Top 1% has 39% of wealth.  This is rising.

Power Dimension  Power: ability to control the behavior of others, even against their will.  Don’t always have to be wealthy but is helpful.  Things that hold Power:  Intelligence.  Political.  Social positions.  Large amounts of people.  Power: ability to control the behavior of others, even against their will.  Don’t always have to be wealthy but is helpful.  Things that hold Power:  Intelligence.  Political.  Social positions.  Large amounts of people.

Prestige Dimension  Prestige: recognition, respect, and admiration attached to social positions.  Prestige is defined by your culture and society.  Has to be voluntarily given not claimed.  Americans value wealth and power, therefore, occupations that gain wealth are assigned more prestige.  Prestige: recognition, respect, and admiration attached to social positions.  Prestige is defined by your culture and society.  Has to be voluntarily given not claimed.  Americans value wealth and power, therefore, occupations that gain wealth are assigned more prestige.