Dynamics-of-social-stratification-and-institutions.docx 1y312q

Dynamics of Social Stratification and Institutions Changes in social relations appear as society develops technologically. Complexity in social relations is the increasing differentiation of based on sex, physical strength, and skills among others. The result of this differentiation is inequality. “Social inequality exists when people’s access to social rewards (e.g. money influence, or respect) is determined by their personal or group characteristics” (Robertson, 1981) Studying social stratification is important because historically, social stratification has been a source of tension, revolutions, and social change. Social Stratification - is a system in which groups of people are divided into layers according to their relative property, power, and prestige. - Sociological term for the hierarchical arrangement of social classes, castes and strata within a society. - a system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy Four main principles related to Social Stratification: 1. Stratification is a trait of society, not the individual. 2. Social stratification persists through generations. 3. Stratification is extremely variable in how it orders people. 4. Stratification is instrumental in the belief-forming process. Slavery is a form of social stratification in which some people own other people. - Based on debt, punishment for violation of the law, or defeat in a battle. Women were the first people enslaved through warfare (sexual purposes, reproduction and their labor) - Could be temporary or permanent and was not necessarily ed on to one’s children. - Typically, owned no property; had no power Caste System is a form of social stratification determined by birth and is lifelong. (closed system) - From birth, caste system determines the direction of a person’s life. - permit little or no social mobility - shape a person’s entire life, including occupation and marriage Caste system demands the people marry others of the same ranking (endogamous marriage) Caste guides everyday life by keeping people in the company of “their kind”. Caste systems rest on powerful cultural beliefs - common in traditional, agrarian societies - E.g. India Although the caste system is formally outlawed in India, it is still observed in rural areas, where agriculture demands a lifetime of hard work and discipline. o In traditional villages, people’s caste determines the type of work they perform. o People must interact with and marry others of the same ranking. o Powerful cultural beliefs make observing caste rules a moral duty Class System form of social stratification based on both birth (ascription) and individual achievement (meritocracy); possession of money or material possession (opened system) - Initial social class position is based on that of one’s parents (ascribed status).

- This form of social stratification allows for social mobility, a change in position within the social hierarchy; hence decreasing social inconsistency - Class systems advance meritocracy to promote specialization, productivity and efficiency - Class systems keep caste elements such as family, to maintain social order and unity. What determines social class? 1. According to Karl Marx: Social class is determined by one’s relationship to the means of production (tools, factories, land, and investment capital used to produce wealth) Classification: a) Bourgeoisie (capitalists)-dominant class; own and control the means of production-shareholders, feudal, landowners, or the owners of property such as factories and capital b) Proletariat (workers)-subordinate class; work for those who own the means of production-slaves, peasants, industrial laborers The relationship between the classes is characterized by exploitation. As capital becomes more concentrated, the two classes will become increasingly hostile to one another. To revolt against the capitalists, workers must take control the means of production. Class consciousness, or an awareness of a common identity based on position in the means of production, will develop; it is the essential basis of the unity of workers. However, the workers’ unity and revolution are held back by false class consciousness—the mistaken identification of workers with the interests of capitalists. 2. According to Max Weber: Social class is not only determined by person’s position in the stratification system, but rather that poverty, prestige and power. 1. Property (wealth) is an essential element, however some powerful do not own or control the means of production (e.g. corporate managers, etc.) 2. Power is the ability to control others 3. Prestige may be derived from ownership of property; but can also be based on skills

Application of Theories in Understanding Social Stratification Structural-Functional Approach

Social-conflict Approach

Symbolic Interaction Approach

What is the level of analysis?

Macro-level

Macro-level

Micro-level

What is social stratification?

Stratification is a system of unequal rewards that benefits society as a whole

Stratification is a division of a society’s resources that benefits some people and harms others

Stratification is a factor that guides people’s interactions in everyday life.

Social position reflects the way society divides resources.

The products we consume all say something about social position.

No. Unequal rewards only serve to divide society, creating “haves” and “have

Maybe. People may or may not define inequality as fair. People may view their

What is the reason for our social position?

Are unequal rewards fair?

Social position reflects personal talents and abilities in a competitive economy Yes. Unequal rewards boost economic production by encouraging people to work

harder and try new ideas. Linking greater rewards to more important work is widely accepted.

nots.” There is widespread opposition to social inequality

social position as a measure of self-worth, justifying inequality in of personal differences

Structural-Functional Approach The structural-functional approach points to ways social stratification helps society operate. The Davis-Moore thesis states that social stratification is universal because of its functional consequences. (Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore). 1. Society must make certain that its important positions are filled 2. Some positions are more important than others 3. More important positions need to be filled by the more qualified people 4. These people who filled the more important positions must be offered greater rewards.

- In caste systems, people are rewarded for performing the duties of their position at birth. - In class systems, unequal rewards attract the ablest people to the most important jobs and encourage effort. Social-Conflict Approach The social-conflict approach claims that stratification divides societies in classes, benefiting some categories of people at the expense of others and causing social conflict. Karl Marx claimed that capitalism places economic production under the ownership of capitalists, who exploit the proletarians who sell their labor for wages. Max Weber identified three distinct dimensions of social stratification: economic class, social status or prestige, and power. Conflict exists between people at various positions on a multidimensional hierarchy of socioeconomic status (SES). Modern conflict theorists stress that conflict between capitalists and workers is not the only important conflict but rather, groups within the same class compete for scarce resources, resulting in conflict between many groups (e.g young vs. old; women vs. men). Symbolic-Interaction Approach The symbolic-interaction approach, a micro-level analysis, explains that we size up people by looking for clues to their social standing. E.g. Conspicuous consumption refers to buying and displaying products that make a “statement” about social class. Most people tend to socialize with others whose social standing is similar to their own. ------

Gerhard Lenski offered a synthesis between functionalist and conflict theories: Functionalist: Societies that have only basic resources and do not accumulate wealth, such as hunting and gathering societies. Conflict theorist: In societies with a surplus, humans pursue pursue self-interests and struggle to control those surpluses. This leads to the emergence of a small elite who then builds inequality into the society, resulting in a full-blown system of social stratification. References: Henslin, J. M. (2012). Essentials of sociology: A down-to-earth approach. Boston: Pearson. Macionis, J. J. (2012). Sociology: Pearson