Chapter 8 and 9 - Social and Global Stratification

Basis for social stratification

-race -ethnicity -class -caste -gender/sex -age -where a country is situated in the world economy

absolute poverty

exists when people do not have the means to secure the most basic necessities of life lack of resources that is life-threatening subsistence poverty

Social conflict analysis of stratification

rather than benefiting society as a whole, social stratification benefits some people and disadvantages others

Principles of the caste system

social stratification based on ascription, or birth closed system (allows little change in social position) -caste position determines the direction of a persons life -demands that people must marry within their social category-endogamous -keep in company of own kind -based on powerful cultural beliefs

Marx's theory of class conflict

social stratification is rooted in people relationship to the means of production- 2-class model capitalists(bourgeoisie)-people who own and operate factories and other businesses in pursuit of profits proletarians-people who sell their labor for wages capitalists and proletarians have opposing interests and are separated by money so class conflict is inevitable under capitalism, work only produces alienation- the experience of isolation and misery resulting from powerlessness

Theories that help explain poverty-blaming the state/society

society is primary responsible for poverty loss of jobs, not enough work

status inconsistency

the degree of uniformity in a persons social standing across various dimensions of social inequality caste system has high status inconsistency class system has less status consistency classes are much harder to define than castes

inter-generational social mobility

upward or downward social mobility of children in relation to their parents

structural social mobility

a shift in the social positions of large numbers of people due to more changes in society than to individual efforts

Social stratification

a system by which society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy

Types of classes in the United States

low level of status consistency, social mobility mainly in the middle class 4 general rankings 1. the upper class- top 5% of the population, earn at least $200,000 a year, upper-uppers- wealth from birth,old money and lower-uppers- working rich 2. the middle class- 40-45%, tremendous influence on culture, upper-middles- income range from $114,000-$200,000 and average middles- incomes range from $48,000-$114,000 3. the working class or the lower middle class- one third of the population, $27,000-$48,000 4. the lower class- 20%, less than $27,000

subjective poverty

measure by comparing the actual income against the income earner's expectations and perceptions

middle income countries

nations with a standard of living about average for the world as a whole 70 of them some lack access to clean water, school, housing, and medical care

high income countries

nations with the highest overall standards of living 72 of them produce goods to enable people to live a comfortable material life control worlds financial markets

low income countries

nations with the lowest standard of living in which most people are more 53 of them severe poverty

Just world hypothesis

people have a deep need to see the world as orderly, predictable, and fair, which creates a tendency to view victims of social injustice as deserving of their fates blaming the victim- poor are responsible for their own suffereing

Theories of global social stratification- dependency theory

social conflict approach colonialism moved wealth from some countries to others making some nations poor and others rich model of economic and social development that explains global inequality in terms of the historical exploitation of poor nations by rich ones

Theories of global social stratification- world systems' theory

economic domination involves a complex world system in which the industrialized, high income nations benefit from other nations and exploit their citizens 3 types of nations 1. core nations- high income 2. semi-peripheral nations- markets/manufacturer 3. peripheral nations-exploited

relative poverty

exists when people may be able to afford basic necessities but still are unable to maintain an average standard of living the lack of resources of some people in relation to those who have more relative deprivation- being deprived of something you feel entitled too, discontent you feel when comparing your position to those around you that have more

Class system - principles of the class system

social stratification based on both birth and individual achievement class systems are more open-experience social mobility, work is no longer fixed, freedom in selecting marriage partner-exogamous, blood relatives may have different social standings meritocracy-social stratification based on personal merit

Weber's theory of stratification

social stratification causes social conflict 3 distinct dimensions of social inequality 1. class position- the access that people have to important societal resources that determines their life chances ex: property 2. status/prestige- the respect or regard with which a person is acknowledge by others ex: honor 3. power- the ability of people or groups to achieve their goals despite opposition from others

Theories of global social stratification- modernization theory

structural-functional approach the whole world was poor until some countries developed industrial technology which allowed mass production and created affluence model of economic and social development that explains global inequality in terms of technological and cultural differences between nations

Poverty

-denial of choices and opportunities -lack of basic capacity to participate effectively in society -not having enough to feed and clothe a family -not having a clinic or school to go to -not having access to clean water and sanitation -cant grow ones food -no job to earn a living with -no access to credit -increased susceptibility to violence and often implies living on marginal or fragile environments the consequences of not having access to basic necessities in life results in insecurity, powerlessness and exclusion of individuals households and communities

Principles of social stratification

1. social stratification is a trait of society, not simply a reflection of individual differences 2. social stratification carries over from generation to generation 3. social stratification is universal but variable 4. social stratification involves not just inequality but beliefs as well

Rostow's stages of modernization

1. traditional stage- people build lives around families and local communities, little individual freedom or change, remain poor 2. take off stage- spark of economic growth, greater individualism, desire for material goods, break of family ties, influences from rich nations, advanced technologies 3. drive to technological maturity- diversified economy, weakening traditional family, absolute poverty is reduced, wide range of jobs, social movements, greater political rights, basic schooling 4. high mass consumption- high living standards

intra-generational social mobility

a change in social position occurring during a persons lifetime

Knowledge of Hidden Rules of Social class - Ruby Payne

Having an awareness of the unspoken understandings and cues that allow a person to fit into a certain group poverty- possession: people, money: to be used, driving force: survival, relationships, entertainment, education: valued in abstract terms, not in reality middle class- possession: things, money: managed and saved, driving force: work, achievement, education: crucial to success wealth- possessions: one of a kind objects, money: conserve, invest driving force: financial, political and social connections education: traditional for making and maintaining connections

Caste systems in India and Japan

Japan- feudal, 4 classes 1. Samurai 2. Farmers 3. Artisans 4. Merchants Burakumin and hinin- fall outside caste system/untouchables India 1. Bhramin 2. Kshatryia 3. Vaishya 4. Sudra Untouchables- fall outside caste

Social mobility

a change in position within the social hierarchy- may be upwards or downwards but most often people move horizontally

Intersection theory

analysis of the interplay of race, class, and gender, often resulting in multiple dimensions of disadvantage

System of apartheid in South Africa

apartheid- a system of legal segregation and separation based on race and ethnicity denied blacks national citizenship, ownership of land, and any voice in the government

Davis-Moore's thesis of social stratification

structural-functional approach-social stratification plays a vital part in the operation of society social stratification has beneficial consequences for the operation of a society -all societies have important tasks that must be accomplished and certain positions must be filled -some positions are more important for the survival of society than others -the most important positions must be filled by the most qualified people -the positions that are the most important for society and that require scarce talent, extensive training or both must be the most highly rewarded melvin tumin saw 3 flaws in the functionalist argument

Conspicuous consumption

symbolic-interaction- peoples social standing affects their everyday interactions buying and using products because of the statement they make about social position

Theories that help explain poverty - blaming the poor

the poor are mostly responsible for their own poverty, society offers opportunity to anyone whole is able and willing to take advantage of them and the poor cannot or will not work due to lack of skills, schooling or motivation Oscar Lewis- culture of poverty-a lower class subculture that can destroy peoples ambition to improve their lives