Social Stratification Flashcards
Social stratification
System by which society ranks categories of people in hierarchy; trait of society, not simply reflection of individual differences and is found in all societies but varies according to what is unequal and how unequal it is, carries over from one generation to next; is supported by system of cultural beliefs that defines certain kinds of inequality as just and takes 2 general forms: caste and class systems
4 principles that underlie social stratification
- It’s a trait of society, not simply a reflection of individual differences
- It carries over from generation to generation
- It is universal but variable
- It involves not just inequality but beliefs as well.
Caste system
Social stratification based on ascription, or birth and permit little or no social mobility; shape persons entire life, including occupation and marriage and common in traditional, agrarian societies
Class system
Social stratification based on both birth and individual achievement and permit some social mobility based on individual achievement; common in industrial and postindustrial societies and status consistency is low due to increased social mobility
Meritocracy
Social stratification based on personal merit
Status consistency
Consistency of one’s social rank across various ranges; degree of uniformity in person’s social standing across various dimensions of social inequality
Status inconsistency
When person has multiple statuses; these statuses can define how other people see us. Most people show degree of status consistency in social a standing. Some people, however, show less status consistency and more status inconsistency. People who reflect status inconsistency have different levels in which status positions are ranked. Inconsistency of social positions can become uncomfortable for person as well as those interacting with person
Master status
Status that society defines as having special importance for social identity, often shaping person’s entire life. When person has status inconsistency, master status may be used to determine how we relate to that person. Woman in work place may carry master status of being viewed as less competent than man. This master status may limit opportunity for occupational advancement. Master status can override other social identities and become basis for continued group prejudice and discrimination.
Structural social mobility
Shift in social position of large numbers of people due more changes in society itself than to individual efforts
Davis-Moore thesis
Social stratification has beneficial consequences for operation of society; suggests reason stratification exists and merely points out that positions society considers more important must offer enough rewards to draw talented people away from less important work
Why no Marxist revolution ?
- Fragmentation of capitalist class
- Higher standard of living
- More worker organizations
- Greater legal protections
Blue-collar occupations
Lower-prestige jobs that involve mostly manual labor
White-collar occupations
Higher-prestige jobs that involve mostly mental activity
Socioeconomic status
Composite ranking based on various dimensions of social inequality
Conspicuous consumption
Buying and using products because of “statement” they make about social position
Because of social stratification…
Some people have more privileges and opportunities than others do
In caste system…
There is little or no social mobility
Business executive who has advanced degrees, gin salary, but has no professional power can be described as having…
Status inconsistency
In English history “first estate” included…
The clergy
According to Davis-Moore thesis…
More important jobs must yield sufficient rewards to attract talent necessary to perform jobs
Social mobility
Change in position within social hierarchy
United Kingdom
Caste and class; In Middle Ages, engine s had caste like aristocracy, including leading clergy and hereditary nobility. Vast majority of people were commoners; today’s British class system mixes caste and meritocracy, producing highly stratified society with some social mobility
Japan
Caste and class; In Middle Ages, had rigid caste system in which imperial family ruled over nobles and commoners; today’s Japanese class system still places great importance on family background and traditional gender roles
Former Soviet Union
Classless societies; Although Russian Revolution in 1917 attempted to abolish social classes, new Soviet Union was still stratified based on unequal job categories and concentration of power in new political elite. Economic development created new types of jobs, which resulted in structural social mobility; since collapse of Soviet Union in early 1990’s, forces of structural social mobility have turned downward and gap between rich and poor has increased
