Social and Political Stratification PDF
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This document provides a detailed overview of social stratification. It examines different types of stratification systems and explores related concepts like social mobility, gender roles, and social inequality. The document also introduces various theories relating to global stratification.
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**Social and Political Stratification** **Concept of Social Stratification:**\ Social stratification refers to the categorization of individuals within a society, primarily based on their economic standing; this system organizes people according to their access to basic economic resources and oppor...
**Social and Political Stratification** **Concept of Social Stratification:**\ Social stratification refers to the categorization of individuals within a society, primarily based on their economic standing; this system organizes people according to their access to basic economic resources and opportunities. Social positioning is influenced by various factors, including race and economic level in life; examples of social interactions highlighting stratification include Mila, who is well-known in her school due to her ability to treat her classmates to prestigious restaurants, and Gab, who gained recognition for his innate leadership qualities that have been evident since his first year in high school. **Systems of Stratification:** 1. **Closed Stratification:**\ In closed systems, individuals are confined to the social class into which they are born; they face minimal or no opportunities to transition to higher levels of society. - **Example:** A child born to farming parents might prioritize helping with finances over enrolling in school, thereby remaining within the same social stratum. 2. **Open Stratification:**\ Open systems allow individuals more flexibility in their social roles and interactions; upward mobility is facilitated through education and employment. - **Example:** A college graduate seeking additional qualifications to enhance career opportunities exemplifies this flexibility. 3. **Caste System:**\ The caste system rigidly restricts social movement, promoting faith and destiny as unchangeable determinants of one\'s social standing. - **Example:** A young man who does not pursue higher education due to beliefs about the irrelevance of a degree for securing a job reflects the constraints of this system. 4. **Class System:**\ The class system is characterized by groups of people sharing common backgrounds, including income, education, and occupational status, enabling mobility through personal achievements. - **Examples:** - Paul, the family breadwinner, supports his siblings through school, aspiring for their collective upliftment. - Neil, a company supervisor, helps his cousin secure a job, thereby fostering employment opportunities within his family. **Types of Marriage:** - **Exogamous Marriage:** A union between individuals from differing social classes or nations. - **Endogamous Marriage:** A union where partners originate from the same social class or professional background. **Meritocracy:** - A system in which an individual\'s status is based on personal effort and performance in their societal role. - **Example:** Elise, a consistent honor student, secures a scholarship to continue her education, highlighting the principle of merit over circumstance. **Social Mobility:**\ Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals within a stratification system, affecting social inequality and poverty. - **Upward Mobility:** Progression to a higher social class through employment, marriage, or other life circumstances. - **Examples:** - A youth leader who transitions into a town councilor role. - A friend starting as a sailor who becomes a successful business owner. - **Downward Mobility:** The descent into a lower social class, often due to economic setbacks, health issues, or educational discontinuity. - **Examples:** - An outstanding employee forced to take leave due to health problems. - A student quitting school after earning income from manual labor, feeling education is unnecessary. **Social Inequality:**\ Social inequality results from disparities in wealth, power, and societal roles, which lead to divisions within communities. - **Examples:** Instances of criminal activities, such as theft and scams, as well as unequal access to resources. **Gender Roles and Feminism:** - **Gender Identity:** The identification of individuals with specific roles and expectations based on their sex. - **Patriarchy:** A system favoring male dominance, often seen in traditional family structures. - **Feminism:** - **Liberal:** Advocates for equality through addressing discrimination. - **Radical:** Questions the root of male-dominated power structures. - **Black Feminism:** Highlights class and racial factors alongside gender issues. **Global Stratification and Theories:** - **Modernization Theory:** Proposes solutions like wage increases and better job opportunities to combat poverty. - **Dependency Theory:** Explains global poverty through exploitation by wealthier nations. - **World Systems Theory:** Studies economic relationships between countries. - **State-Centered Theories:** Emphasizes government intervention in economic development. **\ ** **Social and Cultural Change** **Social and Cultural Change:**\ Social and cultural changes significantly impact individuals, as lifestyles and societal norms differ across generations; for example, individuals born in the 1950s or 1960s had vastly different experiences compared to those born in recent decades, with technology and entertainment being among the most notable points of contrast. **Processes of Change:** 1. **Innovation:**\ Introducing new ideas, methods, or technologies that address societal needs and improve conditions. - **Examples:** - Installation of CCTV cameras to enhance public safety. - Distributing computers to schools lacking resources. 2. **Assimilation:**\ The blending of cultures when individuals integrate into new societies, adopting elements such as food, laws, and hobbies. 3. **Diffusion:**\ The spread of cultural elements or innovations across different societies, often facilitated by technology. - **Example:** Viral videos showcasing unique cultural practices spark global attention and engagement. **Globalization:** - **Cultural Globalization:** The spread of values, ideas, and practices that intensify social connections across the world. - **Economic Globalization:** Expanding trade and services globally to foster economic interdependence. - **Industrial Globalization:** The international expansion of major brands, driven by social media and advertisements. - **Food Globalization:** The international popularity of dishes such as pizza and spaghetti. **\ ** **Challenges to Human Adaptation and Social Change** **Climate Change** - **Definition**: Rise of average surface temperature on Earth, leading to changes in seasons and weather patterns. - **Effects on Societies**: - Many communities worldwide are severely affected by climate change. - **Water Resources**: Limited access to drinking water, especially in dry regions. - **Deforestation**: Displacement of indigenous people due to illegal logging. - **Addressing the Impact**: - Immediate action is needed to mitigate climate change effects. - NGOs and international agencies are implementing projects to educate and inform people. - Use of **Solar Power Technology** to harness energy sustainably. **Ethnic, Religious, and Ideological Conflicts** 1. **Conflict**: - Defined by Max Weber as actions intentionally carried out by one person against another. - **Cause**: Greed, often driven by economic deprivation, leads to violence. 2. **Ethnic Conflicts**: - Misunderstandings between nations. - Example: Philippines vs. China dispute over the West Philippine Sea. - **Effects**: 1. Assaults on opposing nations. 2. Disruption of trade and banned products. 3. Travel restrictions on rival nations. 3. **Ideological Conflicts**: - Rooted in differing beliefs and worldviews. - Example: Long-standing disputes between government soldiers and independent groups (e.g., NPA). **Conflict Resolution** - **Negative Peace**: - Absence of conflict without resolving the underlying issues. - May lead to future disputes due to unresolved misunderstandings or false accusations. - **Peace-Making Activities**: - Mediated by third parties. - Example: Friends resolving a romantic rivalry amicably. - **Peace-Keeping Activities**: - Maintaining peace through civilian or military intervention. - Example: Soldiers intervening in illegal logging disputes in a community. - **Peace-Building Activities**: - Strategic efforts to rebuild relationships. - Examples: 1. Guidance interventions between fighting students. 2. A father reconciling with his estranged son. **Internal Conflicts** - **Economic Issues**: - Rise in crime rates. - Increased instances of domestic violence (e.g., battered wives). - Corruption problems. **Migration** 1. **Definition**: Movement of people for permanent residence. 2. **Types**: - **Emigration**: Leaving one\'s country to settle abroad. - Example: A chef in Canada relocating his family from the Philippines. - **Internal Migration**: Moving within the same country. - Examples: - Squatters moving due to disputes. - Families purchasing homes in new areas. - **Permanent Migrants**: - Acquiring citizenship in another country. - Example: Babies born abroad or those qualifying through naturalization (18+ years old, 5+ years of residency). - **Temporary Migrants**: - Short-term relocation for specific purposes. - **Refugees**: - Forced migration due to war or displacement. - Example: OFWs reassigned to other countries during crises. **\ ** **Responding to Social, Political, and Cultural Change** **Citizenship** - **Definition**: Legal status of an individual in a particular state that allows them to enjoy certain rights and protection. - **Legal Status Examples**: 1. Introducing your boyfriend/girlfriend to your parents. 2. Accepting that you can drink liquor. 3. Respecting your decisions. 4. Voting experience. 5. Marriage. **Views on Citizenship** 1. **Inclusive Citizenship**: - Believes that marginalized groups and individuals should not be empowered (limitation in life). 2. **Strict Parents**: - Reasons for strictness: - High expectations. - Teaching self-discipline and accountability. - Controlling due to fear of being seen as incompetent parents if children make mistakes. 3. **Deliberative Views**: - Citizenship involves dialogue, information exchange, and decision-making. - Traits: Thoughtfulness and careful communication. 4. **Democratic View**: - Citizenship is limited to direct involvement in government or public events. - Empowers people to exercise political control. - Limits the power of the state. 5. **Cosmopolitan View**: - Citizens address both local and national issues and involve themselves in global concerns. - Example: Commenting on social media platforms and attending meetings about legal matters. **Participatory Governance** - Citizens\' involvement in political events like elections. **Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)** - Characteristics: - Operate without government budgets. - Provide access to credit. - Function independently. **Network Society** - **Definition**: Social, political, economic, and cultural changes caused by the spread of technologies. - Features: - Use of social networking sites. - Fast spreading of news. **E-Democracy** - Activities initiated by government or citizens using digital platforms. - Examples: - Online voting for elections. - Posting updates on Facebook, including personal issues. - Use of Information Communication Technology (ICT). **E-Campaigning** - Effective for reaching younger people and accessible areas. - Used for: - Business establishments. - Elections and other campaigns. **New Media** - Impact on journalism: - Rise of vloggers. - Social media users posting news faster than traditional journalists. **New Politics** - Politicians using social media to express opinions and comments on issues. **Social Movements** - **Definition**: Sustained, organized, collective efforts to bring about change. 1. **Reform Movements**: - Aim to align political systems with community ideals. - Examples: - Early pregnancy awareness. - Abortion reforms. - Drug use reforms. 2. **Revolutionary Movements**: - Disregard for established rules. - Examples: - Violating school rules. - Disobeying parental or governmental regulations. 3. **Collective Behavior Approach**: - Belief that social movements are guided by rational behavior gained from others\' attitudes. 4. **Relative Deprivation**: - Dissatisfaction when expectations are not met. - Example: - Lesly, despite her hard work, failed to achieve her desired exam results. 5. **Resource Mobilization Approach**: - Social movements need organizational structure to succeed. - Example: - Comparing disaster management efforts across different governments. 6. **Political Process Approach**: - Focuses on external political environments in analyzing social movements. - Examples: - National government monitoring local programs. - Proposed 2024 budgets for various agencies: - DOH: 204.3 Billion - DPWH: 822.2 Billion - PAGASA: 5.768 Trillion - DSWD: 207 Billion - DEPED: 758.6 Billion. 7. **New Social Movements**: - Advocate for neglected issues. - Examples: - Same-sex marriage. - Gender equality (e.g., shared comfort rooms)