SYG1000 Exam 3 Study Guide Chapter 8 Stratification and Social Mobility in the United States I Stratification A A structured ranking of entire groups of people that perpetuates unequal economic rewards and power in a society B When a system of social inequality is based on a hierarchy of groups sociologists refer to it as stratification C 4 Types of Stratification 1 Slavery 2 Castes Castes are hereditary ranks that are usually religiously dictated and that tend to be fixed and immobile An ascribed status generally associated with Hinduism in India 4 major castes in India called varnas and 5th category called untouchables now called scheduled castes so low and unclean they have no place within stratification system 3 Estates 4 Social Classes Also called feudalism Required peasants to work land ceased to them by nobles in exchange for military protection and other services A social ranking based primarily on economic position in which achieved characteristics can influence social mobility 5 class model in the U S Daniel Rossides upper class upper middle class lower middle class the working class and the lower class Can move from one class to another The upper and lower class reflect the importance of ascribed status race and disability and achieved status Reasons why the size of the middle class is shrinking 1 Disappearing opportunities for those with little education 2 Global competition and rapid advances in technology workers are more easily replaced 3 Growing dependence on the temporary workforce 4 The rise of new growth industries and nonunion workplaces like fast food restaurants more employment opportunities but lower end of the wage scale Working class are people who hold regular manual or blue collar jobs declining noticeably in size II Sociological Views on Stratification A Karl Marx s View of Class Differentiation Macrosociological 1 He viewed class differentiation as the crucial determinant of social economic and political inequality two distinct groups rich and poor 2 Main focus was on the effects of economic inequality on all aspects of 19th century Europe 3 Social relations depend on who controls the primary mode of 4 Capitalism economic production land and factories are held largely in private hands and the main incentive for economic activity is the accumulation of profit an economic system in which the means od production 5 As the feudal state declined two classes began to emerge a Bourgeoisie b Proletariat According to Marx exploitation of the proletariat will the capitalist class owns the means of production working class inevitably lead to the destruction of the capitalist system because the workers will revolt 6 Class Consciousness a subjective awareness of common vested interests and the need for collective political action to bring about social change does not accurately reflect their objective position An individualistic viewpoint toward capitalist exploitation I an attitude held by members of a class that 7 False Consciousness am being exploited by my boss 8 Ultimately the proletariat will overthrow the rule of the bourgeoisie and the government will eliminate private ownership of the means od production 9 He failed to anticipate the emergence of labor unions He did not foresee the extent to which political liberties and relative prosperity could contribute to false consciousness He did not predict that Communist Party rule would be established B Marx Weber s View of Stratification 1 Questioned Marx s emphasis on the overriding importance of the economic sector arguing that stratification should be viewed as having many dimensions Macrosociological 2 Unlike Marx Weber insisted that no single characteristic such as class totally defines a person s position within the stratification system 3 Three distinct components of stratification a Class b Status Group refers to people who have the same prestige or refers to a group of people who have a similar level of wealth and income workers with minimum wage jobs lifestyle medical profession Conflict theorists agree that two major sources of power big business and government are closely interrelated the ability to exercise one s will over others c Power C 4 Each of us has not one rank in society but three Interactionist Perspective 1 Conspicuous Consumption people at the top of the social hierarchy Microsociological purchase goods not to survive but to flaunt their superior wealth and social standing Thorstein Veblen Conspicuous leisure element of conspicuous consumption they may jet to a remote destination just for dinner or to view a sunset 2 Stress the importance of social class in shaping a person s lifestyle 1 Maintain that a differential system of rewards and punishments is D Functionalist Perspective necessary for the efficient operation of society 2 Would people go to school for many years to become physicians if they could make as much money as street cleaners Functionalists say no 3 Society must distribute its members among a variety of social positions rewards based on importance of position but this devalues certain segments of society work in the home 4 Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore argue that stratification is universal and that social inequality is necessary so that people will be motivated to fill functional important positions reward is needed to motivate people 5 This response does not address the stratification systems in which status is largely inherited slave and caste societies E Conflict Perspective 1 Functionalist and conflict theorists offer contrasting explanations for the existence and necessity of social stratifications 2 Conflict theorists argue that competition for scarce resources results in significant political economic and social inequality 3 Marx viewed history as a continuous struggle between the oppressors and the oppressed end as a classless society 4 Like Marx contemporary conflict theorists believe human beings are prone to conflict over scarce resources such as wealth status and power 5 Ralf Dahrendorf modified Marx s view includes not only the bourgeoisie owners of the means of production but also the managers legislators the judiciary heads of government etc He merged Marx s emphasis on class conflict with Weber s recognition that power is important 6 Dominant Ideology describes a set of cultural beliefs and practices that helps to maintain powerful social economic and political interests F Lenski s Viewpoint 1 Sociocultural evolution approach economic systems change
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