Notes: Topic 11 Social Stratification - Introductory Sociology | SOC 1004, Study notes of Introduction to Sociology

Download Notes: Topic 11 Social Stratification - Introductory Sociology | SOC 1004 and more Study notes Introduction to Sociology in PDF only on Docsity! TOPIC 11: SOCIAL STRATIFICATION A. What Is Social Stratification? B. Theories of Stratification A. What is Social Stratification?  Social stratification is a kind of social differentiation. o Gender Differentiation o Racial Differentiation o Occupational Differentiation o Ethnic Differentiation 1. A Definition  Social stratification is the structured ranking of individuals and groups into horizontal layers (or “strata”)  Can label up from down 2. Stratification Systems May Be Open or Closed (Or Somewhere In-Between)  OPEN: relatively free movements  Can move up easily, down easily  CLOSED: movement difficult  Movement is purposefully difficult and in principle impossible  Ie. People born in a “caste” 1. Class 2. Estate 3. Caste Advanced Industrial Society: The Present U.S.A. Feudal Society: Europe in the Middle Ages Traditional Society: India and pre- 1960s southern U.S. Upper Class Lords High Caste Lower Class Serfs Low Caste High mobility, status are mostly achieved Middle, statuses are still mostly ascribed Low mobility, statuses are mostly ascribed Racism based status is a contradiction Racism is not a contradiction Racism is not a contradiction 3. Dimensions of Stratification A. Karl Marx  Socialism: ownership by the state  Mostly failed miserably  One Dimension: WEALTH o Wealth: ownership of the means of production  Primary source of wealth  One Classification System: CLASS  The continuing conflict between these two classes is due to different interests.  B’s only interested in making money; B’s can drive wages down to low level for P’s  P’s interested in survival, preventing B’s abuse, higher quality of life   Although we are all proletariat, society has changed and we are able to live a nice life without being exploited  In the proletariat, one does not control the conditions of one existence  Dependant of capitalism to control us BOURGEOISIE: o Exploitation of Labor o Profit o Those with the means of production; the upper class PROLETARIAT: o Survival o Need for Power o Quality of Life o The lower class; the working class Peroent Share of Aygragate became Received by Each Fifth of Howselelds in Parceat Share af Aggregate Incoms, 5. Mowsahaiay, 2006 mes Fath cath Fath mt pte Farts 60 Se B Lowest Pith il Highest Pith Forcent Share of Total Met Worth by Quindias af Mat Worth 100.00 82.87 Ws 4a 0.18 4 oo Fe = by Guirties of Met Worth Median Mot Worth in Dollars fo-— $200 323,400 383,100 $251,100 5 833,500 Each Quintie " - B. Theories of Stratification 1. Functional Theory A. Some tasks are essential for the well- being of society B. Some of these tasks are: i. Difficult to perform ii. Difficult to learn iii. Require much preparation C. In order to motivate people to prepare for and perform such tasks, we provide incentives through higher status and more money. 2. Criticisms of the Functional Theory of Stratification A. Status, wealth, and achievement advantages are often inherited. B. The labor market does not operate freely, rewarding only those with high ability. C. Some individuals are rewarded for performing tasks that are not essential. D. Many individuals who perform important and essential tasks are not well rewarded. 3. Conflict Theory  Does not argue that stratification Benefits society A. Stratification exists because it benefits individuals and groups who have the power to dominate others.  Able to influence B. The structure of stratification represents the interests of those who have prevailed in past conflicts.  Conflict is ongoing, over control/ownership of resources  American society conflict is “muted”, but still disputes over labor & management (ie. Strikes)  Side that has won: capitalists side, ownership side, etc.  Current structure= product of past conflicts and who has won C. Those who believe the system is fair suffer from False Consciousness; they have internalized the ideology used to legitimate the system.  Without economic inequality, system would not work