SOCIAL STRATIFICATION Chapter 8, Summaries of Philosophy

Download SOCIAL STRATIFICATION Chapter 8 and more Summaries Philosophy in PDF only on Docsity!

SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

Chapter 8

Section 1: Dimensions of

Stratification

What is Social Stratification?

• The ranking of people or groups according

to their unequal access to scarce resources.

• Resources:
  • Income
  • Wealth
  • Power
  • Prestige

The Economic Dimension

• First dimension of social stratification
• Karl Marx believed that capitalist societies would ultimately be reduced to 2 social classes.
• Emphasized the unequal distribution of economic resources
• Those who owned means for production= Bourgeoisie
• Those who worked for wages= Proletariat

Income Inequality in the U.S. http://www.salon.com/2015/07/15/35_soul_crushing_facts_about_american _income_inequality_partner/

The Power Dimension

• Can you exercise power

without being wealthy?

• Money/ownership can give individuals power
• Expert knowledge on something can give you power
• Fame is another basis for power
• Power attached to social positions we hold
• Having followers or people on your side can give you power
• Second dimension of social stratification
• Power= ability to control the behavior of others, even against their will

The Prestige Dimension

• Third dimension of social stratification
• Prestige= recognition, respect, and admiration

attached to social positions

• Defined by your culture and society

The Prestige Dimension

• Must be voluntarily given, not claimed
• Social positions that are valued have the most prestige
• Even though wealth and power usually determine prestige, that isn’t always the case

Rank these occupations based on how much “prestige” you associate with them

• Lawyer
• Surgeon
• Police officer
• High school teacher
• Veterinarian
• Priest

SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

Chapter 8

Section 2: Explanations of

Stratification

Conflict Theory of Stratification

• Inequality exists because some people are willing

to exploit others

• Stratification based on force rather than people

voluntarily agreeing to it

• Based on Marx’s ideas of class conflict
• False consciousness = adoption of the ideas of

the dominant class by the less powerful class

Symbolic Interactionism Theory of Stratification

• American children are taught that a person’s

social class is the result of talent and effort

• People “on top” have used their abilities and worked hard
• People “on bottom” lack talent and/or motivation to succeed