Social Stratification

What is it?

Social Stratification: › The division of large numbers of people

into layers according to their relative power, property, and prestige.

› Applies to both nations and to people within a nation, society, or other group. How large groups fit into the social hierarchy

Why does it matter?

Sociological Significance› Affects our life chances› Affects the way we think about life

“The differences in behavior and attitudes are due not to biology (race-ethnicity, sex, or any other supposed genetic factors) but to people’s location in the social structure.”

Social Stratification

Every society stratifies its members› Some inequality is greater than others

Gender is considered a universal basis for stratifying› “on the basis of their gender, people are

either allowed or denied access to the good things offered by their society.” Do you agree?

Four Major Systems of Social Stratification

1. Slavery2. Caste3. Estate4. Class

Slavery

An institution in which some individuals own other people

History› Common in agricultural societies› Occurred in ancient Rome, Greece, and

Africa

Causes of Slavery Slavery was not necessarily based on

racism, the following were the most common factors:› Debt

Creditors would enslave people who couldn’t repay their debts

› Crime A convicted murderer or thief would be put

into slavery as punishment› War

Conquered people became slaves

Conditions of Slavery

In some places, slavery was temporary› In Rome, slaves could sometimes purchase

their freedom

Slavery was not necessarily inheritable› Ancient Mexico, children of slaves were born

free

Slaves were not necessarily powerless or poor

Slavery: In the New World Indentured Servants

A contractual system in which someone sells his or her services for a specific period of time

Voluntarily entered into Common in the 13 colonies

Racism and Slavery

Contrary to popular belief, racism did not lead to slavery, slavery led to racism› Why do you think that is?

Ideology› Beliefs that justify social arrangements,

making those arrangements seem necessary and fair

Slavery Today

Slavery still exists and experts estimate more than 20 million people are currently enslaved

Sudan example› Pg. 223

Caste System

A form of social stratification in which people’s statuses are lifelong conditions determined by birth

Achieved status cannot change an individual’s place

Caste System and Endogamy

Societies with caste systems developed a way to perpetuate their social institutions

Endogamy: The practice of marrying within one’s own group

India’s Religious Caste System

India’s Religious Castes› Four Major Castes

Brahman (Priests and Teachers) Kshatriya (Rulers and Soldiers) Vaishya (Merchants and Traders) Shudra (Peasants and Laborers) Dalit (Untouchables)

Apartheid A form of the caste system based upon

racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa.

Apartheid was in effect for over 40 years before Nelson Mandelawas elected president.

Estate System Estate Stratification System: The

stratification system of medieval Europe, consisting of three groups or estates: the nobility, the clergy, and commoners

Class System

Class System: A form of social stratification based primarily on the possession of money or material possessions

Social Mobility: Movement up or down the social class ladder

Why is Stratification Universal?

Stratification exists in every society, but why?

Universality of Stratification Functionalist View

› Stratification of society is inevitable because: Society must make sure certain positions are

filled. Some positions are more important than

others. The more important positions must be filled

by the more qualified people. To motivate the more qualified people to fill

these positions, society must offer them greater rewards.

Universality of Stratification

Criticisms of Functionalist View: › How do we know some positions are more

important than others? › Our society is not totally a meritocracy –

positions are not always awarded on the basis of merit (college)

› If social stratification is functional, it should benefit everyone, but stratification is dysfunctional for many.

Universality of Stratification

The Conflict Perspective › Mosca’s Argument

No society can exist unless it is organized, which requires leadership

Leadership requires inequalities of power Human nature is self-centered: people will

use their power to gain rewards for themselves

Universality of Stratification

Which theory to you think is the more accurate depiction of why our society is stratified?

Social Class in America

•Read the following article about the class system in the United States

•Class in America: The Shadowy Lines That Still Divide

•Answer the discussion questions found on the Wiki page