Social Stratification Past Paper questions 2019 - 3. During the colonial rule, education in the Caribbean was an effective means of upward social mobility. Using THREE points, discuss the extent to which you agree with this statement. 30 marks 2016 - 5. “While some men, particularly in the highest social strata, have been able to maintain their traditional position in the family, educational system and labour force, the majority are being eclipsed [replaced] by women rising in all these areas.” Errol Miller, 1991 Discuss the extent to which you agree with this view taking into consideration gender practices in the Caribbean context. 30 marks 2015 - 2. Examine FOUR factors that promoted social mobility in the Caribbean. 20 marks 2012 - 5. “Social stratification continues to be a key feature of Caribbean society.” Using examples to support your answer, discuss the extent to which you agree with this statement. 30 marks. Terms to learn Strata - a socioeconomic level of society comprising persons of the same or similar status especially with regard to education or culture Stratify - to divide or arrange into classes, castes, or social strata; to divide into a series of graded statuses Social mobility – the movement of individuals, families, or groups through a system of social hierarchy or stratification. Bourgeoisie – term in Marxism referring to the upper class/Capitalist class – those owning the means of production in society Proletariat – in Marxist theory, the lower class/working class Underclass – a social class made up of people who are very poor and have very little power or chance to improve their lives : the lowest social class Ascribed (status)– based on criteria given at birth, Cannot be changed Achieved (status)– based on how hard you work/merit. Status here can be changed. Plantocracy – planters/planter class Intelligentsia – educated, intellectual elite in a society Working class – Manual labourers/blue collar workers Caste – social position based on race, colour, ethnicity or as in India based on lineage, which is the basis of stratifying society. One’s caste cannot be changed. Once born into a caste, it cannot be changed, hence no social mobility Open stratification System – one where there can be social mobility/movement up or down the ladder Closed stratification system – one (like slavery and the caste system) where one’s position cannot be changed. Please look at the following video on social stratification to help reinforce the terms and the information below: https://youtu.be/3TzNz1Fg_aU Social Stratification during slavery During Slavery : Stratification to the greatest extent was based on Race and colour, to much lesser extent on wealth. Closed system No social mobility among classes (mobility within class, e.g. if more wealth is acquired). Based on ascribed criteria Today: Stratification to the greatest extent based on education and wealth. Open stratification system There is social mobility among classes (e.g. if more education is obtained, high paying job or more wealth is acquired). Based on achieved criteria Stratification and Marxism According to The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2017 (https://www.britannica.com): A ‘Classless society’, in Marxism, is the ultimate condition of social organization, expected to occur when true communism is achieved. According to Karl Marx (1818–83), the primary function of the state is to repress the lower classes of society in the interests of the ruling class. However, after the class struggle has resulted in the victory of the proletariat and the establishment of a socialist society, there will be no further need for such a repressive institution; with the disappearance of classes, the state is expected to “wither away.”
