Stratification and Social Mobility in the United States Flashcards
absolute poverty
a minimum level of subsistence that no family should be expected to live below
achieved status
a social position that a person attains largely through their own efforts
ascribed status
a social position that a person attains largely through their own efforts
bourgeoisie
Karl Marx’s term for the capitalist class, comprising the owners of the means of production
capitalism
an economic system in which the means of production are held largely in private hands and the main incentive for economic activity is the accumulation of profits
caste
a hereditary rank, usually religiously dictated, that tends to be fixed and immobile
class
a group of people who have a similar level of wealth and income
class consciousness
in Karl Marx’s view, a subjective awareness held by members of a class regarding their common vested interests and the need for collective political action to bring about social change
class system
a social ranking based primarily on economic position in which achieved characteristics can influence social mobility
closed system
a social system in which there is little or no possibility of individual social mobility
conspicuous consumption
purchasing goods not to survive but to flaunt one’s superior wealth and social standing
dominant ideology
a set of cultural beliefs and practices that helps to maintain powerful social, economic, and political interests
estate system
a system of stratification under which peasants were required to work land leased to them by nobles in exchange for military protection and other services. also known as feudalism
esteem
the reputation that a specific person has earned within an occupation
false consciousness
a term used by Karl Marx to describe an attitude held by members of a class that does not accurately reflect their objective position
