Sociology Exam 3 Chapter 8 Module 26 Systems of Stratification Social Inequality situation where different people have different amounts of wealth prestige or power Stratification structured ranking of entire groups of people that perpetuates unequal economic rewards and power in a society 4 general systems of stratification 1 Slavery most extreme form of legalized social inequality for both individuals and groups Universal Declaration of Human rights binding on all members of the United Nations prohibits slavery in all its forms 2 Castes hereditary ranks that are usually religiously dictates and that tend to be fixed and immobile An ascribed status at birth children assume the same position as parent Caste system generally associated with Hinduism in India and other countries o 4 major castes in India called varnas o 5th category the untouchables 16 of population 3 Estates estate system or feudalism required peasants to work land leased to them by nobles in exchange for military protection and other services 4 Social classes Class system social ranking based primarily on economic position in which achieved characteristics can influence social mobility Daniel Rossides created a 5 class model to describe the class system of the US Upper class 1 2 of people very wealthy associate in exclusive clubs and social circles Lower class 20 25 of people lacks both wealth and power too weak to politically exercise significant power Working class 40 45 of people hold regular manual or blue collar jobs ie electricians Middle class o Upper middle class 10 15 of population professionals doctors lawyers architects o Lower middle class 30 35 of population less affluent professionals such as teachers and nurses owners of small businesses Not all hold degrees from college but share the goal to send their children to college Factors that have contributed to the shrinking size of the middle class Disappearing opportunities for those with little education Global competition and rapid advances in technology Growing dependence on the temporary workforce The rise of new growth industries and nonunion workplaces like fast food restaurants Socioloigcal Perspectives on Stratification Karl Marx stressed significance of class for society and for social change Concerned with stratification in all types of human society begginging with primitive agricultural tribes and continuing into feudalism Main focus effects of economic inequality on all aspects of 19th century Europe Thought that social relations depend on who controls the primary mode of economic production such as land or factories Capitalism 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 2 classes that began to emerge as the feudal estate system declines Bourgeoisie capitalist class owns the means of production such as factories and machinery Proletariat the working class Class consciousness subjective awareness of common vested interests and the need for collective political action to bring about social change False consciousness an attitude held by members of a class that do not accurately reflect their objective position A worker with false consciousness may adopt an individualistic viewpoint towards capitalist exploitation I am being exploited by my boss Max Weber insisted that no single characteristic such as class defines a person s position within the stratification system we have 3 ranks in society 3 distinct components of stratification class status and power o Class a group of people who have similar level of wealth and income Ie certain workers try to support their families through minimum wage jobs Wage earners constitute a class because they share the same economic position and fate Agreed with Marx about the importance of economic dimension of stratification But argued that the actions of individuals and groups cannot be understood solely in economic terms o Status Group people who have the same prestige or lifestyle An individual gains status through membership in a desirable group such as the medical profession Example successful pickpocketer may have same income as college professor but the professor has a high status and the thief holds a low status o Power ability to exercise one s will over others Power stems from membership in particularly influential groups such as corporate boards of directors government bodies and interest groups 2 major sources of power conflict theory business and government Interactionist Perspective interested in the importance of social class in shaping a person s lifestyle Thorstein Veblen convert part of their wealth into conspicuous consumption noted that those at the top of the social hierarchy typically o Conspicuous consumption people purchase goods not to survive but to flaunt and show off their superior wealth and social standing Example Purchasing more cars than you can reasonably use Functionalist Perspective maintain that a differential system of rewards money and prestige and punishment are necessary for the efficient operation of society Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore view that society must distribute its members among a variety of social positions must be filled by people with the appropriate talents and abilities o Stratification is universal o Social inequality stratification is necessary so that people will be motivated to fill functionally important positions Conflict Perspective continuous struggle between the oppressors and the oppressed which ultimately would culminate in an eglatarian classless society Karl Marx dominant class bourgeoise manipulates the economic and political systems in order to maintain control over the exploited proletienat Contemporary conflict theorists believe that human beings are prone to conflict over scarce resources such as wealth status and power Dominant Ideology set of cultural beliefs and practices that helps to maintain powerful social economic and political interests Module 27 Stratification by Social Class Measuring Social class Objective Method helps determine someone s social class position class is viewed largely as a statistical category Reasearchers assign individuals to social classes by Occupation Education Place of residence Income Prestige refers to the respect and admiration that an occupation holds in a society independent from the particular individual who occupies the job Ie my daughter the physicist has more prestige than my
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