Chapter 7: Stratification, Class, and Inequality Flashcards
social stratification
structured ranking of groups of people that distributes rewards and power
social inequality
differing amounts of wealth, prestige, and power in society
social stratification is
- present in all societies
- inheritable and persistent over generations
- shapes inequality and beliefs about inequality
- effects you whether you personally believe in the system or not
closed stratification system
people and their children possess the same social position, and it is permanent
open stratification system
people and their children may change their social position
class system (stratification type)
type: mostly open
source: birth and individual merit
typically found in: modern nations, requiring many types of work
examples:
- contemporary industrialized nations
- diverse societies
meritocracy (stratification type)
type: open
source: only individual merit
- not your race, gender, class, or family legacy
- judged only by what you do
Davis-Moore Thesis
stratification is beneficial and necessary
conflict theory view of stratification
stratification provides elites with advantages over others
- analyze society by economic conditions
C. Wright Mills wrote about
power elite
power elite
those privileged at top-tier share social circles with multiple sources of power
- money
- political
- military
corporate
connections to extreme wealth and business
military
high rank in armed forces or defense contractors
political
top level political decision makers President, Cabinet, Governors
social class
a group of people with a similar level of wealth and income
