social stratification Flashcards
define social stratification
-and 2 features to describe it
the way society is structured into a hierarchy of unequal strata/layers
-social hierarchy shaped like a pyramid, each layer increasing in power
-most privelaged form top layer ,least privelaged forms bottom layer
social inequality refers to-
the uneven distribution of…
-stratification involves inequality between groups in distribution of …… and ……… resources
-give examples of these types of resources
resources (eg money/power ) and opportunities related to things like education, employment, access to healthcare
-social, economic resources
-wealth, income, status, power
main criteria people are stratified by
-stratification systems differ in terms of x2
age, gender, social class, ethnicity
-whether status (social position)
is ascribed
or achieved
-how open/closed they are
what is a closed system
-an example
what is a open system
one where social mobility is unlikely, can do little to change their psition in social hierarchy
-caste system in india- born into social standing, remain in it
-system based on achievement- meritocracy
the sociologists who discuss functionalist view on stratification-
-what was their view on stratification
-what was the theory they talked about
-describe this
4 points
Davis and Moore (1945)
- a ‘universal necessity’ for every known human society. a functional necessity as it ensures most able train and fill most important roles
-functionally important roles
what is Davis and Moores theory of stratification
-4 points
explain their view on stratification
-what is different about the inequality in Davis and Moores theory
-why di they say all societies must have some inequality built into them-
-ROLE ALLOCATION- all societies need a way of placing individuals into different roles/social positions which must be filled-
-some roles are functionally more important for society-ensure societys survival/ essential service
-most lack motivation to train/ talent to fill these roles
-to attract ppl, roles must provide desirable rewards- high pay + status- ambitious will compete and most talented will gain the roles
-It is functional as its accepted as fair
-because ppl need to be treated differently in terms of status and rewards
criticisms of davis and moore
-Occupations w/ less status/ lower pay are also functionally important to society ( r lawyers more important than nurses?)
-status/high pay of different occupational groups may
be due to differences in power (are Members of Parliament worth more than nurses?)
-No proof that exceptional talent needed for important positions in society, not an agreed method of measuring talent and ability, eg
no formal educational requirement for Government ministers.
-no. of talented ppl > than Davis and Moore suggest- due to inequality, unable to afford education to get these roles, how can the inequality be functional if it means able people are disadvantaged due to economic backgrounds- A child of a migrant may grow up materially deprived, their parent may be in a functionally important role- nurse, but is low paid, this child has ability to gain a high payed role, he can’t due to inequality in society, however davis and moore are arguing that this inequality if functional and necessary.
-LINKS TO MARXIST VIEW- view stratification as means for bourgeoisie to exploit. Inequality and stratification is not inevitable
-MARX/FEM see stratification as a system where men/bourgeoisie gain at others expense
what is socio economic status
class of an individual or group measured as combination of education,income and occupation
according to marx, membership to a class is determined by….
-why do proletariat experience alienation
what 2 extra classes did marx add-
economic factors- ownership/ non ownership of means of production- bourgeoisie own means of production, w.c sell labour to survive
-lack control over production and products of their labour
=lumpen proletariat (dropouts of society) , petty bourgeoisie
MARX
-why is there class conflict
-Why is Bourgeoisie position justified- what does this lead to
opposing interest- profit vs wage
-because of the ruling class ideology (capitalism).
-Ideas about competition+ free market ect disguise reality of exploitation
-ruling class ideology leads to false class conciousness
what is false class consciousness
-Ruling class ideology distorts
reality- creates a positive image of capitalism as normal/natural.
-proleteriat unaware of the exploitation, true nature of social relationships
- accept this status
- they are victims of false class consciousness.
what was mark theory of revolution- 5 points
Critisism of this theory-
-Bourgeoisie= smaller and richer
-Petty bourgeoisie sink into proletariat.
-proletariet=bigger, poorer.
-Gap between poor and rich increase, differences more extreme (polarisation).
-proletarian revolution happens- means of production communally owned- classless society
-New Right theorists - emphasise benefits of capitalism/ opportunities for social mobility.
where/how did weber say social classes were formed- 2 points
-how does Weber define class, explain
-4 social classes he identified
-in labour market where a class hires labour and another sells it
-the hiring of labour and the rewards (life chances) from the hiring/selling of labour is is key in explaining class.
-group w/ similar life chances eg being successful in life/ opportunities in health, education ect.
-property owners
-professionals
-petite bourgeoisie
-working class
WEBER
- another way of saying life chances
-What did Weber agree w/ marx on
-What was different
-How is a status identified/ based on
market situation
-class based on distribution of economic resources
- also said NON-economic factors eg status/power-(political influence) important in determining life chances.-marx didn’t
-based on prestige attached to their lifestyle- each class has different amount of status, wealth, power
(he believed status and class were separate- class is influenced by economic factors and so ppl in same class have similar life chances - status in based on prestige. Marx believed ownership was most important in creating classes/ division. Status arose from class divisions.)
example of status differing to class (economic position)
Members of aristocracy may not own much land- titles give status
