Professor Henry Schissler
Chapter 5 – Part A
Understanding Stratification
Social Inequality – members of a society enjoy different amounts of wealth, prestige, or power
Stratification – the structured ranking of entire groups of people that perpetuates unequal economic reward
Unequal economic reward is evident in income (salaries and wages) and wealth (material assets such as land, stocks, automobiles – minus what is owed on them)
Systems of Stratification
Slavery – individuals are owned by other people who treat these human beings as property (Ascribed Status – social position is “assigned” without regard to a person’s unique characteristics or talents)
Castes – hereditary systems of rank, usually religiously dictated, that tend to be fixed & immobile. India has four major castes, called varnas. A fifth category is referred to as untouchables, so lowly & unclean as to have no place within this system of stratification (Ascribed Status)
Class System – social ranking based primarily on economic position; boundaries between classes are imprecisely defined, and one can move from one stratum, or level, of society to another (Achieved Status – social position attained by a person largely through his or her own efforts)
Class Systems maintain stable stratification hierarchies and patterns of class division. They are marked by unequal distribution of wealth and power. Ascribed statuses such as race, gender, and disability influence a person’s wealth & social position.
Karl Marx’s View of Class Differentiation
Social relations depend on who controls the primary mode of economic production, such as land or factories. Differential access to resources shapes the relationship between groups.
Social relations within capitalism (an economic system in which the means of production are largely in private hands, & the main incentive for economic activity is the accumulation of profits) are focused on two main groups –
(1) The bourgeoisie, or capitalist class, owns the means of production, such as factories and machinery; they maximize profit in competition with other firms
(2) The proletariat is the working class; they are exploited by the capitalist class; their exploitation will eventually lead to revolt & the overthrow of capitalist systems (the bourgeoisie & the government).
In order for this to happen, the working class must develop class consciousness – a subjective awareness of common vested interests & the need for collective political action to bring about social change; the proletariat comes to identify the bourgeoisie as the source of its oppression.
The working class must overcome false consciousness – an attitude held by members of a class that does not accurately reflect its objective position.
Marx failed to anticipate the emergence of labor unions and the power of collective bargaining, and laws that supported workers rights. He did not foresee how political liberties & relative prosperity would contribute to “false consciousness,” and the importance of individualism, success motivation, and social mobility within “free” societies.
Marx succeeded in advancing discussions of stratification & social behavior, the fundamental separation between the rich & the poor, and institutionalized inequality. He also succeeded in advancing debate about the nature of work, the downfall of traditional families, and the need for societal reform in the new industrial age.
Max Weber’s View of Stratification
In 1916, Weber stated that our position in the stratification system reflects some combination of the three distinct components of stratification that he identified –
(1) Class refers to people who have a similar level of wealth and income, and who share the same economic position and fate. Unlike Marx, he argued that this economic dimension was only one element of the actions of individuals and groups in a stratified system.
(2) Status Group refers to people who rank the same in prestige (stature, regard, esteem) or lifestyle. This is different from economic class High economic class (“career” criminal) does not necessarily mean high prestige. Low economic class (nun) does not necessarily mean low prestige.
(3) Power is the ability to exercise one’s will over others. Power stems from membership in particularly influential groups, such as corporate boards of directors. Conflict Theorists note that two major sources of power – big business and government – are closely interrelated.
Stratification is Universal
All societies maintain some form of social inequality among members.
Functionalists maintain that a differential system of rewards & punishments is necessary for the efficient operation of society. Society must, therefore, distribute its members among a variety of social positions. People are motivated by reward (money, power) to develop talents and abilities, and fill functionally important positions within society. Personal pleasure and intrinsic satisfaction are also motivators but with a different combination of rewards (prestige).
Conflict Theorists maintain that we are prone to conflict over such resources as wealth, status, and power. There are also ongoing conflicts based on gender, race, age, and other dimensions. But the powerful want society to run as smoothly as possible so that they can enjoy their privileged positions. Because the status quo suits those with wealth, status, and power, they have a clear interest in preventing, minimizing, or controlling societal conflict.
Stratification is a major source of societal tension and conflict that may result in varying degrees of instability and social change.
A critical way for the powerful to maintain the status quo is to define the society’s dominant ideology – the set of cultural beliefs and practices that supports powerful social, economic, and political interests. They achieve this by influencing people’s cultural beliefs through the society’s educational systems, religious institutions, and the media.
Minimal social welfare policy reforms are put in place to pacify the needy and the oppressed. This reduces the danger of challenges to the powerful’s dominance, and minimizes the threat from any conflict emerging from the dominated groups.
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