1. Stratification
9.1

2. Terms Social Stratification Social Inequality Caste System
Class System
Bourgeoisie
Proletariat
Social Class
Wealth
Power
Prestige
Socioeconomic Status [SES]

3. Social Stratification
Separating the members of a society on the basis of certain characteristics.
Characteristics:
Achieved
Education, Occupation
Ascribed
Ancestry, race, age, physical appearance, gender

4. Social Inequality
The unequal sharing of scarce resources and social rewards.
Caused by divisions in society based on individual characteristics, abilities, and behaviors.

5. Stratification Systems
Two Types
Caste System
Class System

6. Caste System
Scarce resources and social rewards are distributed on the basis of ascribed statuses.
A newborn child’s lifelong status, or caste, is determined by the status of his or her parents.
Very rarely does one move into another caste or higher status.

7. Class System
Distribution of scarce resources and rewards is determined on the basis of achieved statuses.
Karl Marx – Bourgeoisie & Proletariat
Max Weber – Property, Prestige, Power

8. Social Class According to Weber
A grouping of people with similar levels of wealth, power, and prestige. (3 Types)
Many sociologists accept Weber’s view of social stratification.

9. Wealth Is made up of his or her: Assets Income
The value of everything the person owns
Income
Money earned through salaries, investments, or other capital gains.

10. Wealth Statistics
The richest 1% of the population controls more than 1/3 of the countries wealth.
4/5 of the countries assets are in the hands of the richest 1/5.
CEO ratio to production worker
1:419

11. Power
The ability to control the behavior of others, with or without their consent.
Can be based on force, the possession of a special skill, type of knowledge, particular social status, personal characteristics, or custom and tradition.

12. Prestige
Is the respect, honor, recognition, or courtesy an individual receives from other members of society.
Can be based on:
Income
Education
Family background
Neighborhood
Possessions

13. Socioeconomic Status
This is a rating that combines social factors such as:
Educational level
Occupational prestige
Place of residence with the economic factor of income
These combined factors are then used to determine an individuals relative position in the stratification system.
SES is an important measurement tool for sociologists.

14. “Frank the Tank”