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Stratification

A system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy. Stratification. “All animals are equal, but some are just more equal than others.” -- George Orwell, Animal Farm. Principles of Stratification.

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Stratification

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

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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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.

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

  8. 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

  9. 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.

  10. 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

  11. 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 Class system

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

  13. 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 Functionalist Perspective

  14. 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

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

  16. 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 Interactionist Perspective

  17. 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

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

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