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Part III – Structures of Power
Chapter 8: Stratification, Class and Inequality
Lecture #8
Systems of Stratification
“We are different.”
Variables
Race
Gender
Age etc.
Systems of Stratification
“We are not just different, but also ranked.”
Social inequality
Systems of Stratification
Social stratification
The existence of “structured inequalities” b/w different
groupings of people
(p.216)
“We are stratified.”
We are evaluated and then ranked at a number of levels.
Geographers → layers of the earth
Sociologists → layers of groups and societies
Systems of Stratification
Social stratification
“We are stratified.”
We are evaluated and then ranked at a number of
levels.
Geographers → layers of the earth
Sociologists → layers of groups and societies
Systems of Stratification
The study of social stratification is important, because…
1. Social inequality, a consequence of social stratification,
has considerable influence on people’s “life chances.”
Life chances
opportunities people will have or be denied throughout life,
such as for achieving economic prosperity.
Systems of Stratification
Titanic
Systems of Stratification
2. Class positions have influence on people’s social
behaviors.
Systems of Stratification
“How are we stratified?”
-
Slavery
Caste
Estate
Systems of Stratification
“How are we stratified?”
(Social) Class
“A large group of people who occupy a similar economic
position in the wider society.” (p.219)
“Large-scale”
“Economically-based”
“achieved”
“open” (“fluid”)
What social class do you belong to?
Objective
-
-
Source/level of Income
Wealth
Occupation
Educational attainment
What social class do you belong to?
Subjective
“Class consciousness”
An awareness of one’s position or class in society and of the
circumstances, interests and concerns that a given class
has in common.
System of Stratification
Is the United States a middle-class, or “classless”
society?
Sociological Theories of Stratification/Inequality
“Why are we stratified?”
-
Functionalism
Conflict Theory
Karl Marx
Max Weber
Sociological Theories of Stratification/Inequality
“Why are we stratified?”
Functionalism
Davis and Moore (1945)
Social stratification and social inequality are “functional,”
and thus “beneficial” to society in terms of its smooth
and effective operation.
Stratification and inequality are source of social order.
Sociological Theories of Stratification/Inequality
“Why are we stratified?”
Conflict theorists
“Functional” and “beneficial” to whom?
Sociological Theories of Stratification/Inequality
“Why are we stratified?”
Conflict theorists
A reflection of the unequal distribution of power in society
and as a primary source of conflict and coercion.
Stratification serves the interests of groups of people at the
top.
Sociological Theories of Stratification/Inequality
“Why are we stratified?”
Karl Marx
1818 –1883
Sociological Theories of Stratification/Inequality
“Why are we stratified?”
Karl Marx
- ownership of “means of production”
- the ability to purchase and control the labor of others.
↓
On the basis of these criteria, societies are divided into…
“Bourgeoisie(or Capitalists)”
“Proletariat(or Workers)”
Sociological Theories of Stratification/Inequality
“Why are we stratified?”
Karl Marx
Bourgeoisie, who owns “means of production,” can control
Proletariat’s livelihoods.
The rich tend to get richer, to use their wealth to create more
wealth for themselves, and to act in ways that will protect
their interests and positions in society.
Workers are “exploited.”
Sociological Theories of Stratification/Inequality
“Why are we stratified?”
Karl Marx
Those in power have access to the means necessary to create
and promote a reality that justifies their exploitative
actions.
“False (class) consciousness”
Sociological Theories of Stratification/Inequality
“Why are we stratified?”
Max Weber
1864 – 1920
Sociological Theories of Stratification/Inequality
“Why are we stratified?”
Max Weber
- Status
“the differences between groups in the social honor, or
prestige, which are accorded by others.” (p.254)
Class/Status
Closely related; the one does not determine the other.
Class: objective; economically-based
Status: subjective; life styles