Social Stratification Overview

Basis of Stratification

• There are two main categories for defining social stratification: biological and socio-cultural.
• Biological factors include age, sex, and the physical attributes of individuals.
• Socio-cultural factors are based on economic, political, and religious structures within society.

Forms of Social Stratification

• There are four primary forms of social stratification: slavery, caste, estate, and class.
• Slavery is the most extreme form, where individuals are owned as property.
• The legal conditions of slavery have varied globally and through history.
• Bonded labor is an example of a slavery-like system practiced in India.
• Slavery has become extinct as a form of stratification worldwide.
• Caste systems are complex and structured differently in different areas.
• Although there are variations, they share common principles, emphasizing inherent status and lineage.
• Estate systems are feudal clusters with distinct obligations and rights between groups.
• Examples include jagirdars and zamindars in India.
• These systems have been abolished, but their influence still exists in some societies.
• Class systems are based on economic resources and do not have clear-cut boundaries.
• Class membership is not solely based on lineage or custom but can be influenced by achievements and social mobility.
• Intermarriage between people from different classes is not formally restricted.
• Class consciousness and economic status play significant roles in shaping a person's lifestyle and opportunities.

This quiz explores the foundations and forms of social stratification, including biological and socio-cultural definitions. It delves into various systems such as slavery, caste, estate, and class, highlighting their characteristics and historical context.