Social Stratification Class Hierarchy

- all societies have some type of stratification (hierarchy, class) Social Stratification is: the division of society into different layers based on unequal power relationships. - all societies have some type of stratification (hierarchy, class)

Three Types of Power: Economic power – control of material resources - inherited wealth - businesses - property

Political Power – control over human resources, ie: labor - markets - laws - publicly funded institutions

Ideological Power – control over ideas, beliefs - knowledge or information that guides social action i.e. religion

Class – members of a class must have shared characteristics and act together as a group - wealth - education - income - race/ethnicity - property - gender - occupation - age - urban/rural location - political status

Usually an individual ranks fairly consistently in most characteristics i.e. – white male, Ontario, lawyer, university, $200,000./year, home owner, etc.

Consistent stratification tend to perpetuate inequality one group usually benefits and dominate society difficult to change class based on just a few characteristics i.e. a lottery winner * we can achieve material wealth and eventually move up the ladder in one to two generations

Looking at Hierarchy at a Global Level If there were 100 people on this earth, 16 people would control 59% of the world’s wealth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU5MtVM_zFs&fe ature=bf_prev&list=PLC6D871A2A8C3C8EF&lf=Pla yList