1. Social Stratification
“All animals are equal—but some animals are more equal than others.”
-George Orwell, Animal Farm

2. Social Stratification
Definition: the ranking of people or groups according to their unequal access to scarce resources - Creation of layers (strata) of people who possess unequal shares of scarce resources- income, wealth, power, prestige Social Class- each layer of a stratification system - members have similar resources, economic circumstances, norms, values, and status

3. Three Dimensions to Social Stratification
Economic
Power
Prestige

4. 1. The Economic Dimension
Karl Marx and Social Class
Capitalist society would ultimately be divided into 2 social classes
Bourgeoisie: those who own the means of production (rule/exploit)
Control the economy= control of legal, education, and government systems
Control of Economy = determine the nature of the society.
Proletariat: Laborers (ruled over)

5. Income V. Wealth
Income: amount of money received within a given time period by an individual or group Wealth: all economic resources possessed by an individual or group For example: Income= Paycheck Wealth= what you own

6. Extremes in the U.S. Inequality in Income:
46.2 million Americans are living in poverty (2010)
3.1 million Americans are millionaires
400 billionaires
Inequality in Wealth: concentrated in the hands of a few
Top 1% of the population owns 35% of the wealth
Next 9% owns 39% of the wealth
The other 90% is left with 27% of the wealth

7. 2. The Power Dimension
Definition: the power to control the behavior of others, even against their will
--Marx suggests those who own the means of production have the power
--Weber states that wealth is important, but it is not synonymous with power
Expert knowledge can be a source of power (influence others or gain positions of power)
Social Positions --Power is attached to the positions we hold and we can use those positions to influence people’s opinions (even without wealth)
-- rally people behind you (Ghandi had no money)

8. 3. The Prestige Dimension
Definition: recognition, respect, admiration attached to social positions
Third dimension of social stratification
Defined by culture and society
Given by others/ cannot be claimed by oneself
**Although we tend to assign higher prestige to those with wealth and power, you can have prestige without either
*You can also have wealth without power or prestige
(Called Status inconsistency)

10. Theories of Stratification

11. Key Questions: Why are societies stratified
Key Questions: Why are societies stratified? Why do inequalities exist in society? -Each theory answers the key questions with different explanations

12. Functionalist Perspective
Every element of society serves a function that benefits the whole
Stratification ensures the most qualified people…
Fill the most important positions
Perform their tasks completely
Are rewarded for their efforts

13. Functionalist Perspective
Inequality exists because certain jobs are more important than others
These jobs require special talents and training
People make sacrifices to fill these jobs
They should be rewarded (usually with money and prestige) for these advanced jobs
Society stays stable when everyone accepts the social order

14. Criticisms
It seems as if the Functionalist perspective accepts, and even justifies, inequality. It leaves no room to explain social change or social conflict. It also is unable to explain some of national income structure. Why does a singer or a professional athlete make more than a medical doctor? Do we need entertainment more than health care?

15. Conflict Theory
Stratification occurs as a result of the struggle for scarce resources
Inequality exists because some are willing to exploit others
Stratification is based on force
Carl Marx believes that all of history has been a class struggle with capitalists winning the struggle

16. Conflict Theory Capitalists have the power to promote a belief system
Spread their idea, beliefs, and values
The powerful spread the idea that income and wealth should be based on ability, hard work, and individual effort.
False Consciousness: working class acceptance of capitalist ideas
**Now conflict theorists propose stratification is based more on power than on property ownership

17. Symbolic INteractionism
People are socialized to accept the existing stratification structure
Children are taught that a person’s social class is the result of talent and effort
Those “on top” have worked hard and used their abilities to get there
Those “on the bottom: lack talent or motivation to succeed

18. Social Interactionism
Social class has an impact on an individual’s self-esteem and perspective of how people must view them
Those in lower classes tend to suffer with lower self- esteem
Those in upper classes tend to have higher-self esteem
Self concepts preserve the status quo
Those on top blame lower classes for their boat. Lower classes also blame themselves. (preserves the structure)

19. Social Class in America

20. Class Consciousness
Definition: sense of identification with the goals and interests of the members of a particular social class
Individualism in America
Stress the economic and political independence of the individual in society

21. The Upper Class Upper- Upper Class (1% of the population)
“Old Money” Families
Membership is based on heritage not accomplishments
Attend the best schools/ rarely marry outside of their group
Lower- Upper Class
Based on achievement and earned income
Might be financially better off than upper, but not accepted in exclusive circles

22. The Middle Class Upper middle: (14% of the population)
Successful in business, professions, politics and military and benefited from corporate and professional expansion after WWII
Earn enough to live well, save $
Most are college educated and encourage children to do the same
Middle- middle: (30% of the population)
“Mixed bag” of professions
Mix of education

23. The Working Class Known as the lower middle class; 1/3 of the pop.
Mix of occupations
Less resources than the middle- middle class
Below average income, unstable employment
Lack health insurance and retirement saving

24. The Working Poor 13% of the population
Employed in low skill jobs with the lowest wages
Don’t earn enough to move beyond the poverty level
Struggle to survive consumes most of their time and energy

25. The Underclass 12% of the population
Usually unemployed and have a history of unemployment in their families
Might have a part-time job or are on public assistance
Lack education and face many other problems

26. The Working Poor and the Underclass
Shared Characteristics
Lack skills to get paid enough to meet basic needs
There are other paths into these classes, but few paths out

28. Poverty in the U.S.

29. Types of Poverty
Absolute poverty: absence of enough money to secure life’s necessities - Have food and safe place to live Relative Poverty: measure based on economic disparity between those at the bottom of society and the rest ** definition of poverty can vary

30. Measuring Poverty
Historically- government sets an income level (2010 line: house of 4 living under $22,314) (2018: $24,600 for a family of 4) *The poor make up 15% of the population

32. Makeup of the Poor
Feminization of Poverty: Women and children make up an increasing portion of the poor Age: Children make up more than 1/3 of the poor Disability: Poverty rate for those with disabilities between ages is 28%

33. Health Care
Healthcare and poverty are related- poor people are less healthy * Fewer resources= less access to nutritious foods
Share about collapy’s drive around
In our project, could we afford fresh fruits and vegetables?

34. The War on Poverty
Pre-Mid 60s: Social Security and Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) Lyndon B. Johnson declares a “War on Poverty” - focus on youth opportunity programs and work programs - help the poor help themselves.
AFDC started during the depression to offer assistance.

35. Welfare Reform
1996 new program: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 3 Elements: 1. Reduces welfare payments 2. Increases state and local powers to oversee welfare rules 3. Adds new restrictions on welfare eligibility

36. What is your opinion about welfare programs and offering assistance to those in need?

37. Social Mobility

38. Social Mobility
Definition: movement of people or groups between social classes Horizontal Mobility: changing from one occupation to another at the same social class level Vertical Mobility: occupational status moves upward or downward Intergenerational Mobility: change that takes place over a generation
Assignment: Interview family members---what kind of occupational mobility??

39. The Caste System
Definition: no social mobility because status is inherited and cannot be changed
- Statuses (including occupations) are ascribed, or assigned at birth
Examples:
South Africa: Apartheid based on race
India: Varna System based on religious purity
(although not officially recognized by their government, upward mobility is difficult)
Can only marry within caste rank. No amount of effort will change your status

40. Open-Class System
Definition: social class is based on merit and individual effort
Move up and down as their abilities, education and resources permit
U.S. is considered to be a relatively open class system
Though huge leaps in class system are rare

41. Global Stratification

42. Global Stratification
Definition: unequal distribution of wealth, power and resources among the countries of the world
World Systems theory—relationships among nations is based on inequality
“First world”, “Third World”, “developed”, “developing”
Classify nations according to Gross National Income
GNI: total annual income earned by the people, divided by the number of people

44. High-Income Nations GNI of $12,276 or higher
Standard of living: necessities, comforts, and luxuries people in a society enjoy
(Not just material wealth- also education, health, life expectancy, and gender equality)
USA is high-income. GNI in 2010 was $47,310
Changes from Industrialization
Agricultural  manufacturing
Rapid urbanization
Lower level of social inequality

45. Middle-Income Countries
Slightly more than half of the world’s countries (51%)
GNI ($12,275- $1,006)
¾ of the world’s poor
Difficult to determine the AVERAGE standard of living due to extremes

46. Low-Income Countries GNI $1,005 or less
Standard of Living determined by Human- development indicators
life expectancy, access to contraception, literacy, gender equality, access to clean drinking water, etc.

47. Why are 35 countries stricken by devastating poverty?
Modernization theory: countries are poverty stricken because they failed to modernize (rooted in old tradition)
Colonialism theory: Economically dominated by industrialized countries. Resources extracted.
Neo-colonialism: nations dependent on economically powerful nations

48. Globalization
Definition: development of an increasingly integrated global economy
- Based on free trade, free flow of investment, use of cheap foreign labor
Large corporations conduct operations on a global scale
Use materials, labor force, and markets of whatever country gives them the greatest economic advantage
Benefits rich nations, exploits poor.
[STRATIFICATION]
BOOM. MIC DROP.