1. Ch. 8 Social Stratification

2. Dimensions of Stratification
Social Stratification – ranking of people or groups according to their unequal access to scarce resources
Most important resources – wealth, income, power, and prestige
Weber emphasized the prestige and power aspects of stratification
Social class – a segment of a population whose members hold similar amounts of scarce resources and share values, norms, and an identifiable lifestyle
Marx explained the importance of the economic foundations of social classes

3. The Economic Dimension
Marx originally identified multiple social classes – laborers, servants, factor workers, craftspeople, proprietors of small business, and moneyed capitalists
However he believed it would eventually end up being on 2 classes
Bourgeoisie – class that owns the means of production
Proletariat – class that labors w/o owning the means of production
He also believed that controlling the economy allowed you to control the legal, educational, and government systems
Income – amount of money received by an individual or group over a specific time period
Wealth – total economic resources held by a person or group

4. The Economic Dimension
In 2000 the poverty level was set at $17,761 for a family of four
In 1999 the richest 20 % of American families received over 49% of the nation’s income
The poorest 20% controlled under 4%
The richest 20% of the population holds 84% of the wealth, and top 1% alone has 39% of the total wealth of the U.S.

5. The Economic Dimension
Power is based on money, knowledge, fame, social positions
A lack of wealth can be overcome with loyal people or skillful resource management
Ex. Hitler

6. The Prestige Dimension
Prestige – recognition, respect, and admiration attached to social positions
Ex. A Mafia don
Must be voluntarily given
The more socially valuable the position the more prestige it has

7. Explanations of Stratification
Functionalist Theory of Stratification
Stratification assures that the most qualified people fill the most important positions
Recognizes that inequality exists b/c certain jobs are more important than others
Conflict theory of Stratification
Inequality exists because some people are willing to exploit others
Stratification is based of force
Marx’s false consciousness – working-class acceptance of capitalist ideas and values
Stratification occurs through the struggle for scarce resources

8. Explanations of Stratification
Symbolic Interactionism and Stratification
People are socialized to accept the existing stratification structure
Ex. – American children are taught that social class is the result of talent and effort
People’s self-concepts help preserve the status quo
The is a link b/w social class and self-esteem

9. Social Classes in America
Class Consciousness – identification with the goals and interests of a social class
The Upper Class
Only top 1% of the population
“aristocracy” – the old-money families of high society
Ford, du Pont, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt
Membership based on blood
Lower-upper class more often is based on achievement and earned income
Could actually have more money that “aristocracy”, but is often not accepted into the most exclusive social circles

10. Social Classes in America
The Middle Classes
About 40 to 50 % of Americans
Upper Middle Class – about 14% of population
Earn enough to live well and save money
Typically college educated
Middle-middle class – 30% of population
Income is at about the national average ($21,181 in 1999)

11. Social Classes in America
The Working Class – lower middle class
1/3 of population
Below average income and unstable employment
Generally lack hospital insurance and retirement benefits
Working Poor – 13% of population
Low-skill jobs with lowest pay
Do not earn enough to rise above the Poverty line
Tend not to participate in the political process
The Underclass – 12% of population
Usually unemployed
Work part time or are on public assistance

12. Poverty in America
Absolute poverty – the absence of enough money to secure life’s necessities
Relative poverty – a measure of poverty based on the economic disparity b/w those at the bottom of a society and the rest of society
The definition of poverty in America is not the same as that of India
In the U.S. the government sets the poverty line and anyone below is considered poor
In the 2000 Census 11.8% of Americans, 32.2 million, considered poor

13. Poverty in America Identifying the poor
About 46% of the poor in America are white, poverty rate is about 7.7%
African Americans and Latinos poverty rate is about 23%
Combined they make up about ¼ of total population, but nearly ½ of poor
Over ½ of poor households are female headed
Feminization of poverty – a trend in U.S. society in which women and children make up an increasing proportion of the poor
About 9% of people 65 or older live in poverty
12% of America’s poor are disabled (blind, deaf, ect…)
Responses to the Problem of Poverty
1964 LBJ marshaled the forces of federal government to begin a war on poverty
Philosophy was to help poor people help themselves
Welfare Reform

14. Social Mobility
Social Mobility – the movement of people b/w social classes
Horizontal mobility- changing form one occupation to another at the same social class level
Ex. When and army officer become a teacher, or a waiter becomes a taxi driver
Vertical mobility – person’s occupational status or social class moves upwards or downward
Intergenerational mobility – when the change takes place over a generation
A plumber’s daughter becoming a physician, or a lawyer’s son becoming a carpenter

15. Social Mobility Caste and Open-Class Systems
Caste system – there is no social mobility b/c social status is inherited and cannot be changed
Statuses and occupation are ascribed
Apartheid – was a caste system based on race
India – Brahmin, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, Sudra, and Untouchables
Tradition keeps the caste system intact
Open-class system – a system in which social class is based on merit and individual effort, movement b/w classes is allowed
Ex. - The U.S. for the most part

16. Social Mobility Upward and Downward Mobility
In the U.S. great leaps in Upward Mobility are rare
Bill Gates, Michael Dell, Steve Jobs, Rockefeller, Henry Ford
Compared to their parents, more U.S. workers are experiencing downward mobility
Downward mobility can have severe emotional and psychological consequences