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Questions and Answers
What is social stratification, and how do the three major systems of stratification compare?
What is social stratification, and how do the three major systems of stratification compare?
Social stratification is the hierarchical arrangement of large social groups based on their control over basic resources. The three major systems are slavery (closed system), caste (closed system based on birth), and class (open system based on resources and work).
How did Karl Marx view social class and stratification?
How did Karl Marx view social class and stratification?
Marx viewed social class as a key determinant of social inequality and social change, with capitalistic societies consisting of two classes: capitalists and workers, involving inequality and exploitation.
What is Max Weber's multidimensional approach to social stratification?
What is Max Weber's multidimensional approach to social stratification?
Weber's approach focuses on wealth, prestige, and power, emphasizing that no single factor is sufficient to define social stratification.
What are the key characteristics of social classes in the United States?
What are the key characteristics of social classes in the United States?
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What is the difference between income inequality and wealth inequality?
What is the difference between income inequality and wealth inequality?
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What are three important consequences of inequality in the United States?
What are three important consequences of inequality in the United States?
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What are the characteristics of the U.S. poor based on age, gender, and race/ethnicity?
What are the characteristics of the U.S. poor based on age, gender, and race/ethnicity?
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How do functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionist perspectives on social inequality compare?
How do functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionist perspectives on social inequality compare?
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Study Notes
Social Stratification
- Hierarchical arrangement of social groups based on control over resources.
- Influenced by class, race, gender, and age.
- Major systems include:
- Slavery: Extreme form where individuals are owned.
- Caste System: Closed system where status is determined at birth.
- Class System: Open system in the U.S. based on resource ownership and occupation.
Karl Marx's View on Social Class
- Social class is central to understanding inequality and social change.
- Class position is determined by relationship to means of production.
- Society consists of two classes - capitalists (owners) and workers (laborers).
- Class relationships are characterized by exploitation and inequality.
Max Weber's Multidimensional Approach
- Emphasizes multiple factors in defining social stratification.
- Class structure is determined by wealth, prestige, and power interacting together.
- Contrary to Marx, no single factor is sufficient to define social location.
Social Classes in the United States
- No definitive consensus on class structure.
- Weberian model includes three elements:
- Education
- Occupation of family head
- Family income
- Class divisions: upper class, upper-middle class, middle class, working class, working poor, underclass.
- Contemporary Marxian models focus on production relationships.
Income vs. Wealth Inequality
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Income: Economic gain from wages, salaries, transfers, and property ownership.
- In 2013, the top 20% of U.S. households earned over half of total income.
-
Wealth: Includes property and assets like homes, stocks, and insurance.
- More unevenly distributed than income, highlighting greater concentration at the top.
Consequences of Inequality
- Inequality leads to disparities in income, wealth, and access to goods/services.
- Individuals with higher income have improved life opportunities (better housing, education, healthcare).
- Those with lower income face limited life chances and struggle for necessities.
Characteristics of the U.S. Poor
- Poverty influenced by age, gender, and race/ethnicity.
- Children face a higher risk of poverty compared to the elderly.
- Women experience higher poverty rates than men.
- While whites make up two-thirds of those under the poverty line, people of color are disproportionately affected.
Perspectives on Social Inequality
-
Functionalist Perspective:
- Views society as being organized into classes based on roles in occupational structure.
- The Davis-Moore thesis posits that stratification is necessary for societal function.
- Claims that the most important roles require significant rewards.
-
Conflict Perspective:
- Sees social stratification as a product of power dynamics and inequality.
- Emphasizes exploitation between classes maintained by powerful groups.
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Description
Test your knowledge on social stratification with these flashcards. Explore the major systems of stratification including slavery, caste, and class, and understand how they compare. This review will help reinforce key concepts from your sociology class.
