Chapter 8 social stratification

Criticism of Marxism in Conflict Theory

1. The fragmentation of the capitalist class, growth of the middle class 2. Higher living standard 3. Unions 4. Legal protections 5. Social welfare 6. Fringe benefits

All stratified system share three characteristics:

1. the rankings apply to social categories of people who share a common characteristic without necessarily interacting or identifying with each other. 2. people's life experiences and opportunities depend heavily on how their social category is ranked. 3. The ranks of different social categories tend to change very slowly over time.

Open system

Allows for upward or downward mobility - meaning class (social, economic, etc.)

Caste systems (close system)

Are hereditary systems of rank, usually religiously dictated, that tend to be immobile, or held for life. - can be born into it, - enforced religiously or culturally - EX: Before its abolition in 1992, the South African caste system, termed apartheid, rigidly separated black Africans, Indians, colored, and Asian from Whites.

Stratification: Functionalist theories

Argue that social stratification and social inequalities are functional because they ensure that the most qualified people, that are attracted by rewards bestowed by society, fill the roles that are most important to a smoothly functioning society 1. Social stratification has beneficial outcomes for the operation of society. 2. Certain positions in any society are functionally more important than others, and require special skills to fill them (i.e. doctors) 3. Only a limited number of people in any society have the talent that can be trained into the skills appropriate to these positions. (must offer rewards of power, money, and prestige to attract these people) 4. The conversion of talents into skills involves a training period during which sacrifices of one kind or another are made by those undergoing the training. 5. To induced talented people to undergo these sacrifices and acquire training , their future positions must carry a privileged and disproportionate access to the scare and desired rewards society has to offer - But this sacrifice results in rewards-- desired goods include the rights and prerequisites attached to the positions, and can be classified into things that contribute to (a) sustenance and comfort (b) humor and diversion (c) self-respect - all about different parts working together - i.e. doc has talent, turns it into skills, but makes sacrifice to cultivate those skills, such as partying during 20's, but they will receive benefits later on in life - in short we need different jobs to keep society running (diff. jobs, rewards, benefits, sacrifices etc.)

Slavery system (close system)

Is the most extreme form of legalized social inequality; Enslaved individuals are owned by other people. - laws must change to leave the system

Social classes: Systems of Stratification

Social classes are social rankings based on economic position in which characteristics can influence social mobility three indicators: (not about what your born into) 1. income- wages ands salary earned from paid jobs and unearned money from investments 2 education- years of schooling 4. occupation- prestige, respect, and admiration an occupation holds (status of prestige= you might not make a lot of money but you make a lot of honor i.e. clergy, policeman)

Systems of Stratification

Sociologists speak of social stratification to describe inequalities among individuals and groups within human society (class, status, power) 1. The three key aspects of social stratification are class, status, and power. -Social inequality is the unequal distribution of valued resources, is found in every society.

Social Stratification: Max Weber Multidimensional Ranking

Stratification = a multidimensional ranking based on 3 indicators: 1. Property/ wealth=buildings, lands, farms, houses, factories and as well as other assets , 2. Power= the ability of people or groups to achieve their goals despite opposition from others 3. Status= based on prestige and honor and the respect with which a person or status position is regarded by others - Life chances are opportunities to obtain material goods, positive living conditions, and favorable life experiences - Occupying a higher position in a society improves your life changes and brings greater access to social rewards.

Social Stratification.. are .... among ppl that are determine not by...

These are inequalities among individuals and groups that are determined not by personality or social situations, but more because of their attributes of gender, age, race ethnicity or religious affiliation is a society's categorization of people into socioeconomic strata, based upon their occupation and income, wealth and social status, or derived power (social and political).

Stratification: Conflict Karl Marx

This is all about conflict of clashing classes, ruling class has power and tries to take advantage of working class which leads to a competition of resources and refers to the means of production (the way they gain a livelihood) 1. Class division & competition for scarce resources = social, economic, and political inequality (aka working class gets fed up) 2. Marx's class differentiation- Bourgeoisie (capitalist class which own means of production) and -Proletariat (working class earning livelihood by selling labor)... therefore leading to class struggles. 3. Conflicts between owners & workers class struggle (aka leads to revolution) 4. Exploitation of the capitalist class + the exploited proletariat = Revolution --> A classless society

Two main differences between Weber's theory and Marx.

Two main differences between Weber's theory and that of Marx. 1. CLASS: First, class divisions derive not only from control or lack of control of the means of production, but from economic differences that have nothing directly to do with property. Such resource include people's skills and credentials, or qualifications. 2. STATUS: Second, Weber distinguished another aspect of stratification beside class, which he called "status..." Status refers to differences between groups in the social honor, or prestige.