{ Systems of Stratification Chapter 9, Section 1

  Division of members in a society into separate categories, ranks or classes.  Different systems of stratification:  Caste system  Class system Social Stratification

 Resources and rewards are distributed based on ascribed status. The status of a child is determined by their parents’ status.  Can a person move up to a higher status under this system? Very unlikely  Members practice endogamy- marrying within a class, and not exogamy– marrying outside of class. Caste Systems

Caste Systems (cont’d) The_Caste_System.mp4

  Distribution of resources and rewards is determined on the basis of achieved status.   Gives control over one’s place.   Marx believed that it was based on who owned means of production.   Bourgeosie= own production in capitalistic society.   Proletariat= sell labor for wages. Class Systems

 Weber expanded upon Marx’s ideas.  Three factors determining class:  Property (wealth)  Power  Prestige   Social class= grouping of people with similar levels of three factors. Class Systems (cont’d)

  Wealth   Assets: value of everything owned.   Income: money earned through salaries, investments, etc.   Power   Ability to control the behavior of others, with or without their consent.   Prestige   Respect, honor, recognition, or courtesy an individual receives from other members of society. Three Factors of Social Stratification

  Rating that combines social factors such as education level, occupational prestige, and place of residence with income.  Helps determine an individual’s position in the stratification system. Socioeconomic status (SES)

 Functionalist  Necessary feature of society   Society is maintained through roles that must be performed.  Leads to different rewards.  Failures:  Not everyone has equal access  Talented people in lower classes  Conflict   Class exploitation of resources  control over other classes.  Once power is attained, it is maintained.  Failures:  Unequal rewards based on talent, skills, desire, etc.  Not everyone can fulfill every job. Explaining Stratification

  Ralf Dahrendorf  Use the two theories to  Use the two theories to explain different aspects of stratification   Gerhard Lenski  Theories apply to different types of societies:  Theories apply to different types of societies: simple society  functionalist; complex  conflict Notable Sociologists