1. Social Stratification
UNIT 3A
Social Stratification

2. Social Stratification
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
All complex societies are stratified
Simpler societies do not have clear-cut division into hierarchically ranked strata

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

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

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

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

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

8. Egalitarian Societies
Food collectors
No individual or group has more wealth, power, or prestige than any other
Esteemed individuals cannot transform skills into power or wealth
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
Are usually transformed to non-egalitarian when contact with stratified societies occurs

9. Rank Societies
Oceania and among Native Americans of the Northwest Coast
Unequal access to prestige or status but not unequal access to wealth or power
Fixed number of high-status positions
High prestige positions are largely hereditary
Kinship plays an important role
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
Redistribution is not only economic but validates rank

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

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

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

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

14. Hindu caste system
4 sacred categories (varnas) associated with occupations
Dalits (outcastes) are below these four
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
Castes are economically interdependent