Stratification and Class

Question 1

Social Startification

Answer 1

The systematic and unequal distribution of rewards and resources in society.

a broader concept of class

Question 2

Conditions of Social stratification

Answer 2

1. Inequalities are built into the system
2. People are distributed into a heirarchy of strata, like the layers of the Earth

Question 3

The dimensions of stratification

Answer 3

1. Economic inequality (among “classes”)
2. Status inequality (among “status groups”)
3. Political inequality (among “parties”)

Question 4

Systems of stratification

Answer 4

1. Slavery
2. Caste
3. Class systems

Question 5

Slavery

Answer 5

a form of labor organization and stratification based on ownership rights over persons

Question 6

Aspects of slavery

Answer 6

1. Rights and privileges of slaves varied historically
2. Slave systems were inefficient but were widespread until the 1700-1800s

Question 7

Aspects of Caste Systems

Answer 7

1. It is ascribed, hereditary grouping
2. It restricts the occupation of its member
3. It restricts their relationships with members of other castes (sexual taboos, neighborhood segregation).

Question 8

Class

Answer 8

a large-scale grouping of people who share common economic resources that strongly influence the type of lifestyle they are able to lead

Class systems differ in many ways

Question 9

Factors of a class system

Answer 9

1. Defacto rather than de jure inequality not officially recognized and enforced but related to people’s unequal economic circumstances.
2. Based on your ability to get things in the market. Ex. money education wealth
3. Class position is in principle achieved rather than ascribed at birth, and there is more social mobility than in other stratification systems.
4. Is on the rise and replacing other market systems

Question 10

Karl Marx’s view on Class

Answer 10

Marx believed that the maturing of industrial capitalism would create an increasing gap between the wealth of the minority and the poverty of the mass of the population
He belived economic property is what defines classes: certain classes own and control society’s productive resources and others do not.

Question 11

Weber’s view on class

Answer 11

1. Class divisions derive not only from control or lack of control of the means of production, but also from economic differences that have nothing to do with property.
2. Weber distinguished another aspect of stratification, which he called “status.”
3. Power is distinct from status and class, but these three dimensions often overlap.

Question 12

Weber’s View (con’t)

Answer 12

Weber, as we have seen, saw stratification as multidimensional: besides economic divisions there are divisions based on status and political power; they are each relatively independent of the others.

In Weber’s view, economic classes are distinguished according to their market resources, giving their respective members the same typical standards of living and economic opportunities. Thus, other resources besides ownership/non-ownership of the means of production are involved (e.g., skills and credentials).

Question 13

Absolute Poverty

Answer 13

A lack of life necessities

Question 14

Relative Poverty

Answer 14

A lack of of culturally defined necessities; being poor compared to a society’s average living standard.

Question 15

Individualistic views of Poverty

Answer 15

Poverty is in some way caused by the individuals and groups who are afflicted by it.

Question 16

Structural views of Poverty

Answer 16

Poverty is linked to social forces beyond the control of the poor