Social Stratification and Inequality Flashcards
What is social stratification?
A society’s categorization of its people into ranking of socio-economic tiers based on factors like wealth, income, race, education and power.
Give a brief note on closed and open systems of stratifiication.
Sociologists distinguish between 2 types of systems of stratification, Closed systems accomodate little change in social position. They do not allow people to shift levels and do not permit social relationships between levels. Open systems, which are based on achievements, allow movement and interaction between layers and classes.
What is a caste system?
People are born into their social standing and will remain in it their whole lives.
What is a class system?
Based on both social factors and individual achievements.
What is the difference between exogamous marriages and endogamous union?
Exogamous marriages is the union of spouses from different social categories. Endogamous unions is the marriage to a partner from the same social background.
Describe meritocracy.
An ideal system based on the belief that social stratification is the result of personal effort - or merit - that determines social standing.
What is social mobility? Include upward, downward, intergenerational, structural.
Social Mobility refers to the ability to change positions within a social stratification system. Upward Mobility is an increase/ upward shift in social class. Downward Mobility is the lowering of one’s social class. Intergenerational Mobility is a difference in social class between different generations of a family. Intragenerational Mobility is a difference in social class between members of the same generation. Structural Mobility is a societal change that enables a whole group of people to move up or down the class ladder.
What is global inequality?
The concentration of resources in core nations and in the hands of a wealthy minority.
What is global stratification?
The unequal distribution of resources between countries.
What is GINI Coeffient?
A measure of income inequality between countries using a 100-point scale, in which 1 represents complete equality, and 100 represents the highest possible inequality.
Give a brief note on absolute and relative poverty.
Absolute poverty is the state where one is barely able, or unable, to afford basic necessities. Relative poverty is the state of poverty where one is unable to live the lifestyle of the average person in the country.
