UNIT 3A Social Stratification

All people are socially differentiated son some sort of criteria All people are socially differentiated son some sort of criteria Societies confer a larger share of wealth, power, and prestige on those possessing more admired characteristics Societies confer a larger share of wealth, power, and prestige on those possessing more admired characteristics All complex societies are stratified All complex societies are stratified Simpler societies do not have clear-cut division into hierarchically ranked strata Simpler societies do not have clear-cut division into hierarchically ranked strata

Dimensions of Social Inequality Max Weber identified 3 basic criteria for measuring levels of social inequality that can operate independently of one another Max Weber identified 3 basic criteria for measuring levels of social inequality that can operate independently of one another –Wealth –Power –Prestige

Wealth Forms of wealth can vary Forms of wealth can vary Extent of economic inequality can vary Extent of economic inequality can vary Range of wealth in U.S. is great Range of wealth in U.S. is great

Power Ability to achieve goals and objectives even against the will of others Ability to achieve goals and objectives even against the will of others Does not necessarily overlap with wealth Does not necessarily overlap with wealth Theory in U.S. is power is in the hands of the people Theory in U.S. is power is in the hands of the people Reality is the belief that power resides with unofficial power elite Reality is the belief that power resides with unofficial power elite

Prestige Social respect, esteem, or admiration that society confers on certain people Social respect, esteem, or admiration that society confers on certain people Sources vary from one culture to another Sources vary from one culture to another Based on norms and values of a particular group Based on norms and values of a particular group

Types of Societies Based on levels of social inequality Based on levels of social inequality –Egalitarian societies –Rank societies –Stratified societies –Class societies –Caste societies

Egalitarian Societies Food collectors Food collectors No individual or group has more wealth, power, or prestige than any other No individual or group has more wealth, power, or prestige than any other Esteemed individuals cannot transform skills into power or wealth Esteemed individuals cannot transform skills into power or wealth High status positions constantly change to reflect the number of qualified candidates High status positions constantly change to reflect the number of qualified candidates As many positions of prestige as there are persons capable of filling them As many positions of prestige as there are persons capable of filling them Are usually transformed to non-egalitarian when contact with stratified societies occurs Are usually transformed to non-egalitarian when contact with stratified societies occurs

Rank Societies Oceania and among Native Americans of the Northwest Coast Oceania and among Native Americans of the Northwest Coast Unequal access to prestige or status but not unequal access to wealth or power Unequal access to prestige or status but not unequal access to wealth or power Fixed number of high-status positions Fixed number of high-status positions High prestige positions are largely hereditary High prestige positions are largely hereditary Kinship plays an important role Kinship plays an important role Basic standard of living of chief is not significantly different from ordinary people Basic standard of living of chief is not significantly different from ordinary people Chief has no real power or control over land and maintains position by virtue of generosity Chief has no real power or control over land and maintains position by virtue of generosity Redistribution is not only economic but validates rank Redistribution is not only economic but validates rank

Stratified Societies Inequality in power, wealth, and prestige Inequality in power, wealth, and prestige Inequality is permanent and formally recognized Inequality is permanent and formally recognized Access to resources is inherited Access to resources is inherited Arose approximately 5500 years ago with the rise of civilization Arose approximately 5500 years ago with the rise of civilization Population is highly differentiated into role specialization Population is highly differentiated into role specialization 2 different kinds: class-based or caste- based 2 different kinds: class-based or caste- based

Stratified Societies: class vs. caste Differ in social mobility Differ in social mobility Class is associated with achieved status Class is associated with achieved status Caste is associated with ascribed status Caste is associated with ascribed status Caste and class systems may overlap each other Caste and class systems may overlap each other All stratified societies are along continuum from perfect class to perfect caste system All stratified societies are along continuum from perfect class to perfect caste system

Class societies Social classes are population segments Social classes are population segments Members hare relatively similar life styles Members hare relatively similar life styles Share levels of wealth, power, and prestige Share levels of wealth, power, and prestige According to US national mythology, there is a good deal of social mobility According to US national mythology, there is a good deal of social mobility Reality is most don’t change class in lifetime Reality is most don’t change class in lifetime Members of class share economic level, experiences, education, politics, values, and social memberships Members of class share economic level, experiences, education, politics, values, and social memberships

Caste societies Members are ranked according to birth Members are ranked according to birth Membership is unchangeable Membership is unchangeable Usually associated with specific occupation Usually associated with specific occupation Are ranked hierarchically Are ranked hierarchically Higher castes have more and do less Higher castes have more and do less Members of caste share same social status and are socially segregated Members of caste share same social status and are socially segregated Caste exclusiveness is furthered by rituals Caste exclusiveness is furthered by rituals Higher castes have most interest in maintaining the existing system Higher castes have most interest in maintaining the existing system

Hindu caste system 4 sacred categories (varnas) associated with occupations 4 sacred categories (varnas) associated with occupations Dalits (outcastes) are below these four Dalits (outcastes) are below these four Each varna is subdivided and stratified (jati) Each varna is subdivided and stratified (jati) –Jati are subgroups –Local family groups that are strictly endogamous –Ranking varies regionally –Social interaction with jati is egalitarian –Avoid egalitarian socializing with other jati Hindu religion sanctions caste system Hindu religion sanctions caste system Castes are economically interdependent Castes are economically interdependent