1. Stratification Chapter 7

2. Discussion Outline I. Standards of Equality II. Stratification and Types of Stratification III. American Stratification IV. Social Mobility

3. I. Standards of Equality Equality of Opportunity Are the rules of the game the same for everyone? Do we live in a true meritocracy? Weber’s Life chances Equality of Condition Equality of Outcome Anticapitalist “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”

4. II. What is Social Stratification? Stratification-A structured ranking of entire groups of people. -It is a cultural universal. -Why does it exist? and how does it impact social life and opportunities? Central theoretical questions

5. Systems of Stratification… A: Perpetuate unequal economic rewards and power in society-Some suffer while others benefit -Why? -B: Maintain Social Inequality- members of society have differing amounts of wealth, prestige, and power

6. Systems of Stratification Review: Ascribed status vs. Achieved status Is one’s social class ascribed or achieved? General Systems: (1) Slavery (2) Castes (3) Social classes -Open vs. Closed systems Any stratification system may include elements of more than one type

7. Marx and Social Class Proletariat Bourgeoisie Contradictory class locations

8. Dimensions of Stratification in The American Class System Economic Standing (Objective measures) 1. Wealth- money and other economic assets that a person or family owns, including property and income Wealth is cumulative, is passed on to the next generation, ensures economic security and future prosperity, and produces income 2. Income? Which is more important?

9. Dimensions of Stratification (Subjective measures) Prestige How do individuals and groups alert others of their level of prestige? -Status Symbols-Status Hierarchy -Thorstein Veblen and Conspicuous Consumption http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupational_prestige Power What does it mean that an individual or group is powerful in society?

10. III. American Stratification The gap between the rich and the poor in U.S. is larger than any other wealthy/industrialized nation Growing economic inequality since 1960’s and accelerated in 1980’s under president ______ and economic principle of “trickle down economics”. What is the main idea of trickle down economics? Inequality continues to grow- Income and wealth gaps

11. Economic Inequality (Income) A growing gap between rich and poor 1990’s profits reaped by upper class Stagnant wages for 8/10 Americans CEO Compensation-1980: 42x-> 2010->430x Trickle down-economics Did it work? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5CCRI1vdwE&feature=related

12. Economic Inequality (Wealth) Greater than income inequality and expanding to levels unseen since the great depression… When income stagnates, it’s difficult to save and build wealth/accumulate assets In 2007, the wealthiest 1% of households owned more than the bottom 90% of households combined http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX-V_a8H6y8

13. Growing Inequality in the U.S.

14. Why do Americans tolerate such massive concentrations of income and wealth? Do most poor and working class people not work hard? Are the richest individuals/ families the hardest working? Do all people have an equal chance at discovering their talents? Is there equality of opportunity?

15. IV. Social Reproduction vs. Social Mobility Social Reproduction Social Mobility Moving from one place in a stratification system to another Is America the land of opportunity? The land of social mobility? https://www.premedhq.com/patterns-of-social-mobility