Social and Political Stratification PDF

# Social and Political Stratification ## The Concept of Social Stratification Social Stratification refers to the division of large social groups into smaller groups based on categories determined by economics. Members of society are arranged in hierarchy based on their access to or control over b...

# Social and Political Stratification ## The Concept of Social Stratification Social Stratification refers to the division of large social groups into smaller groups based on categories determined by economics. Members of society are arranged in hierarchy based on their access to or control over basic economic resources. This gives rise to inequality or "Social Standing". ### Common Basis of Social Stratification | **Category** | **Description** | |:---|:---| | Wealth | Access to political power | | Property | Race and Religion | | Gender | Access to material and Cultural Goods | ## Social Exclusion Social exclusion is the process by which individuals are cut off from full involvement in the wider circles of society. This may be due to poor housing, lack of employment, inferior schools, or limited transportations. It leads to a lack of opportunities for self-improvement. ## Systems of Stratification There are two main systems of stratification: closed and open ### Closed Systems - Impose rigid boundaries between social groups. - Limit interactions between members who belong to different social groups or occupy different levels in social hierarchy. - Resistant to change in social roles. ### Open Systems - Mainly based on achievement, allowing more flexibility in social roles, increased social mobility, and better interaction. ### Caste Systems Caste systems are closed stratification systems because people are unable to change their social standing. These systems promote belief in fate, destiny, and the will of higher spiritual power rather than promotion of individual freedom. People born into caste society are socialized to accept their standing for the rest of their lives. There are no opportunities to improve one's social position. - **Brahma and the Origins of Caste:** - Depicts the four Varnas, or classes, of the caste system: - **Brahmins:** priests & teachers - **Kshatriyas:** warriors & rulers - **Vaishyas:** farmers, traders & merchants - **Shudras:** laborers - **Dalits (Outcastes):** Street sweepers, latrine cleaners ### Class Systems Class systems are based on ownership of resources and the individual's occupation or profession, A **social class** is composed of people who share the same background and characteristics - income, education, and occupation. People are free to move from one social class to another and achieve higher status in life through education and employment. Openness in class systems results in the prevalence of **exogamous marriages**. - **Exogamous Marriage**: Marriages between people from different social classes. - **Endogamous Marriage**: Marriages between people from the same social class. ### Meritocracy A meritocracy is a system of stratification that is determined by personal effort and merit. Social standing advancements are determined by how well a person performs his or her social role. However, it remains an ideal and is only implemented in business or industry. Although society in general still remains strongly influenced by other factors such as inheritance and pressure to conform. ## Theoretical Perspectives on Social Stratification ### Functionalism Examines how the different aspects of society contribute to ensuring its stability and continued function. Each part or aspect of society serves an important purpose. Stratification is based on the intrinsic value of social activities or roles. - **Davis- Moore Thesis:** Social roles that have a greater functional purpose will result in a greater reward. Certain tasks in society are more valued than others, and those who perform highly valued work are rewarded with greater income, prestige, and power. ### Conflict Theory Takes a critical view of social stratification. It considers society as benefitting only a small segment. Stratification causes inequality. The theory is drawn from the ideas of Karl Marx. - **Karl Marx:** Social stratification is influenced by economic forces and relationships in society are defined by factors of production. There are two groups: - **Bourgeoisie (Capitalists):** Own factors of production (land, resources, business, and proletariat). They make up the upper class. - **Proletariat:** Workers who provide manual labor. They make up the lower class. Inequality causes workers to experience alienation, isolation, and great misery due to powerless status. These factors lead to class conflict. ### Symbolic Interactionism Symbolic interactionism offers a microlevel perspective and attempts to explain how people's social standing affects their everyday interactions. This leads to interaction within the same class. Stratification becomes a system that groups people (interests, background, way of life). - People's appearance reflects their perceived social standing. - **Theory of Conspicuous Consumption:** Buying certain products to make a social statement about a status. ## Social Mobility Social mobility is defined as the ability of individuals or groups to change their positions within a social stratification system. It describes how individuals progress from a lower to a higher class, or how they lose their status and occupy a much lower position in society. A major factor in social mobility is economic status (accumulation of wealth). ### Two Main Types - **Upward Mobility**: Upward movement in social class. This may be through education, employment, or marriage. - **Downward Mobility**: Lowering of social class. This may be brought by economic setbacks, unemployment, illness, or dropping out of school. ### Classification Based on Generation - **Intragenerational**: Focuses on the experiences of people who belong to the same generation. Changes in mobility throughout the person's lifetime. - **Intergenerational**: Changes in individuals belonging to different generations. ### Structural Mobility Structural mobility is a large-scale change resulting in improvement or decline of the conditions and status of a large group of people. The Industrial Age is the main example of structural mobility. ## Social Inequality Social inequality can be seen in societies that are usually characterized by divisions that reflect unequal distribution of status, wealth, and power within society. This can also be related to social inequality and poverty.