A system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy Stratification A system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy

“All animals are equal, but some are just more equal than others.” -- George Orwell, Animal Farm

Principles of Stratification Social stratification is a trait of society, not simply a reflection of individual differences. On the Titanic social class meant more than the type of accommodations; it was the difference between life and death

Principles of Stratification Social stratification persists over generations. Most children grow to be in the same social position as their parents Social mobility – change in one’s position in a social hierarchy Horizontal movement – exchange one occupation for another that is comparable

Principles of Stratification Social stratification is universal but variable. What is unequal and how unequal it is varies from society to society Prestige Wealth Power

Principles of Stratification Social stratification involves not just inequality but beliefs. Society’s explanation for why inequality exists. What is that explanation in US society? Meritocracy– stratification based on personal merit; one gets what one earns.

Caste and Class Systems Caste – A closed system; allows for very little change in social position Class – An open system; permit social mobility

Caste System Stratification based on ascription or birth traditional caste groups are linked to occupation, so that generations of families perform the same type of work.  endogamy – marriage to those of the same social rank; often mandatory and necessary for the caste system to continue  guides everyday life so that people remain in the company of “their own kind” rests on powerful cultural beliefs Caste systems are most often found in agrarian cultures

Caste System The Example of India Brahman (religion) Kshatriya (protection) Vaishya (business) Sudra (untouchables) These divisions are most evident in the rural areas of the country; but, past stratification has led to continued inequality.

Class system Social stratification based on individual achievement more open so that people who gain schooling or skills may experience some social mobility people seen as entitled to “rights” rather than one particular social standing people remain unequal, but stratification based on talent and effort classes much less well defined than castes

Class system Status Consistency – degree to which a person’s social standing matches across various dimensions of social inequality (wealth, power, prestige) Status inconsistency – dimensions of social inequality do not quite match up Meritocracy

Caste and Class Systems United States United Kingdom Japan Former Soviet Union (USSR & Russian Federation) China

Functionalist Perspective The Davis-Moore Thesis Social stratification has beneficial consequences for the operation of society. The greater the importance of a job, the greater the rewards Unequal rewards benefit society because those who perform the most important jobs will then work longer, harder, and better

Conflict Perspective Karl Marx Social Stratification benefits some people and disadvantages others. Capitalist societies reproduce the class structure in each generation Eventually, the working class will rise up and overthrow the capitalist class creating a socialist society.

Conflict Perspective Max Weber Social stratification involves three dimensions of inequality: Class Status (social prestige) Power

Interactionist Perspective Stratification is a factor that guides peoples interactions in everyday life. Conspicuous consumption – buying and using products because of the “statement” they make about our social position

Social Class in the US Dimensions of social inequality Income – earnings from work or investments Wealth – the total value of money and other assets, minus outstanding debts Power Occupational prestige Schooling

Social Class in the US www.dopejam.com/bop/STATS/prestige.html