Chapter 10
Stratification: Class, Race,
Ethnicity, and Caste
Social Stratification
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A relatively permanent unequal
distribution of goods and services in a
society
The ways this distribution takes place
depends on the organization of
production, cultural values, and the
access that different individuals and
groups have to the means for achieving
social goals in society.
Theories of Stratification
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Functionalism specifies that specific cultural
institutions function to support the structure of society or
serve the needs of individuals in society.
• Weaknesses:
• Not all of society’s most difficult jobs are well
rewarded.
• Social stratification does not always result in
recruiting to right people for difficult jobs.
• Money’s ability to motivate people has limits.
• While inequality may be inevitable, it does
sometimes erupt into violence.
Theories of Stratification
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Conflict theory focuses on inequality as
a source of conflict and change.
• Weaknesses:
• Conflict theorists sometimes ignore
the social mechanisms that promote
solidarity across class, racial, ethnic,
and caste lines.
Criteria of Stratification
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Power is the ability to control resources in
one’s own interest.
Wealth is the accumulation of material
resources or access to the means of
producing these resources.
Prestige is social honor or respect.
Class Systems
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A class is a category of persons with
about the same opportunity to obtain
economic resources, power, and prestige
and who are ranked high and low in
relation to each other.
There are possibilities for movement
between the classes or social strata,
called social mobility.
Social Class in the United
States
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Status depends on occupation, education,
and lifestyle.
“The American Dream” is based on the
democratic principle of equality and
opportunity for all.
Social class in the United States
correlates with attitudinal, behavioral, and
lifestyle differences.
Income and Social Class
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Income is the most important determinant
of social class.
Sufficient and steady income is essential
toward saving and accumulating assets.
Income and Social Class
From 1980-2010:
• The after-tax income of the top 1% of
American households jumped 139% to
more than $700,000.
• The income of the middle fifth of
households rose 17%, to $43,700.
• The income of the poorest fifth rose only
9%.
Life Chances
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Life chances are the opportunities people have
to fulfill their potential in society.
They include:
• chances of survival and longevity.
• opportunities to obtain an education.
• opportunities to participate in cultural life.
• opportunities to live in comfort and security.
Social Classes as Subcultures
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Many studies demonstrate that social class
correlates with differences in attitudes,
behavior, lifestyle, and values.
A social class has aspects of a subculture.
• Members share similar life experiences,
occupational roles, values, educational
backgrounds, affiliations, leisure activities,
buying habits, religious affiliation, and
political views.
The Cultural Construction of
Race
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Race is a culturally-constructed category based
on perceived physical differences.
• Based on perceived hereditary differences
• Not a natural category, but a social and
cultural fact
• Used to justify differential treatment and
discrimination
• Affects the lives of both racial majorities
and minorities
Race and Racism
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Highly correlated with industrial pollution and
natural disasters (such as Hurricane Katrina).
Affects jobs and educational opportunities,
access to fair credit, salary levels, social
mobility, home ownership, mortgage rates, use
of public space, etc.
Intersection of Race and
Class
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Long-standing inequalities in:
• income and wealth
• educational opportunities
Involuntary minorities suffer discrimination in
their own country.
Voluntary minority are immigrants who put
emphasis on education as the main route to
economic success.
Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.
With the election of President Barack Obama and the appointment of
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, how have the definitions of
ethnicity and race been challenged in the United States?
Ethnicity
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Is a constructed narrative that focuses on
cultural rather than racial differences
Nation-states may be characterized by
ethnic stratification, as different ethnic
groups have differential access to political
and economic resources.
Ethnicity in U.S.
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Until the mid-20th century was based upon the
ideology of assimilation:
• Immigrants should abandon their cultural
distinctiveness and become mainstream
Americans.
After civil rights era of 1960s, ideology shifted to
multiculturalism:
• Cultural diversity is a positive value that
makes an important contribution to
contemporary society.
Caste System
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System of stratification based on birth
(ascribed status).
Movement from one caste to another is
not possible.
Castes are hereditary, endogamous,
ranked in relation to one another and
usually associated with a traditional
occupation.
Caste System in India
The Castes
• Brahmins
• Kshatriyas
• Vaisyas
• Shudras
• Dalits
Hindu Caste System
Four caste categories, and one lower group
1. Brahmins are priests and scholars.
2. Kshatriyas are the ruling and warrior
caste.
3. Vaisyas are merchants.
4. Shudras are menial workers and
artisans.
5. Dalits are “untouchables.”
Changes in the Caste System
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Caste ranking appears to be less sharply
defined within the higher caste categories.
Caste is less relevant for occupations.
Differences in caste are referred to as
cultural differences, rather than as a
hierarchy based on spiritual purity.
Bringing it Back Home: Government
Responsibility vs. Wealth
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The expansion of the American middle
class from the 1940s to the 1970s was
largely based on government programs
including the G.I. Bill, Social Security,
unemployment insurance, a progressive
income tax, and federal mortgage
assistance programs.
Bringing it Back Home: Government
Responsibility vs. Wealth
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This expansion involved the vision that
government should improve citizens’ economic
security and economic opportunities.
Supporters of this view hold that expansion
policies put more money in the hands of
consumers, leading to increased demand for
goods, a growing economy and a more
equitable distribution of wealth.
Bringing it Back Home: Government
Responsibility vs. Wealth
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The opposing view, the “gospel of wealth,”
argues the following:
• Government regulations stifle entrepreneurial
initiative.
• Progressive taxation and policies like a
minimum wage undermine investment.
• Government entitlement programs, like social
security, welfare, and health care, lead to a
declining sense of individual responsibility.