Systems of Stratification
CH 9 SECTION 1
BASIC DEFINITIONS:
 SOCIAL STRATIFICATION - refers to the
division of society into categories, ranks or
classes.
 SOCIAL INEQUALITY- the unequal sharing
of a society’s scarce resources and social
rewards.
 CLOSED vs. OPEN social class systems – the
key here is mobility…are you able to move
between status levels or not? If yes – it is an
open system; if no - it is a closed system.
Stratification continuum…
 CASTE vs. CLASS…
______________________________________
Caste systems
Class systems
(most closed)
(most open “mobile”)
Status assigned at
Degree of openness
Birth & is lifemay vary but people
long.
have mobility & can
move up or down in
status.
brief history
modern caste impact
Caste – the ultimate “closed”
system
 Caste – Status was inherited; marriage between
groups was forbidden (called “exogamy” –
allowing marriage within social classes is called
“endogamy”);
 Caste developed in South Asia over 3,000 yrs.
Ago. Its rules & practices are closely tied into the
religion of Hinduism. For that reason, although
caste was outlawed at independence in the
1950’s, caste practices, prejudices &
discrimination are still found in India today.
Class systems…
 Class systems usually range from open to very open,
depending on the society. In class systems the
distribution of resources & rewards is usually
determined by achieved status. Talent, effort &
opportunity allow one to move up the social ladder;
lack of those things will keep you lower on the social
ladder.
 Sociologists define classes differently…Karl Marx
believed the ruling class (bourgeoisie) held the
power (the “means of production” – refers to those
who own the capacity to produce goods/svcs.) & the
working class (proletariat) were at their mercy.
Weber’s classes…
 Sociologist Max Weber defined social class differently –
stating that wealth, power & prestige are the main
identifiers of social class.
 WEALTH: your assets – the value of all that you own –
determine your wealth. In the US the richest 1% controls
more than 1/3 of the total wealth of the nation.
 POWER: not surprisingly, those with the most wealth
typically have the most power (ability to control the behavior
of others).
 PRESTIGE: the respect, honor, recognition you receive from
other members of society. Can be based on income,
occupation, family, possessions, club memberships, etc. In
the US occupation tends to be the greatest determiner of
prestige.
Socioeconomic status
 This is used to rank people in a society
according to wealth, power and prestige. It is
a rating that combines social factors
including educational level, occupational
prestige, place of residence and income.
These combined factors may determine your
position in a socioeconomic stratification
system.

Forbes Billionaires List

Best jobs 2013 US News

prestigious jobs (low pay)
FUNCTIONALIST THEORY
 They see stratification as necessary &
assumes certain roles must be performed if
the social system is to be maintained.
Rewards are important to keeping roles
fulfilled and the system going - & the most
needed roles (doctors, politicians) come with
the greatest rewards ($$, power, prestige).
 WEAKNESSES: not everyone has equal
access to what is needed to succeed (Ex:
education) and rewards don’t always = the
social value of the role.

actors & athletes
inequalities in education
CONFLICT THEORY…
 These theorists say that stratification comes
from class exploitation. The wealthiest/most
powerful people control the rest of society in
order to maintain their places at the top. This
leads to much conflict between classes.
 WEAKNESS: failure to recognize that unequal
rewards are based on differences in talent, skill &
desire. Not everyone is suited for every position
in the social system. Rewards are needed to fill
all roles needed by society.
Synthesizing the theories
 Because each of the previous theories have
their shortcomings, some sociologists have
tried to blend the two. For example,
Functionalist theory helps explain why people
are willing to spend years training to become
doctors; Conflict theory helps to explain why
the children of wealthy parents go to the best
colleges. Both theories are useful, depending
upon which aspect of stratification you are
trying to study.
Additional thoughts on open
systems…
 Marrying up
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvibi2Cph
-E&list=PLC6D871A2A8C3C8EF&index=3
 Joe Queenan on choices & class
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_Rtl3Y4E
uI&list=PLC6D871A2A8C3C8EF&index=2