SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

Social Stratification

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of “Social stratification” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “Social Stratification” and its relation with “Class system, Caste system, and Slavery”. The research also analyzes many aspects of “Social Stratification” and tries to gauge its effect on “society”. Social stratification is the formation of horizontal groups, vertically differentiated according to criteria established and recognized. The concept of social stratification implies that there is a hierarchy, a social and structured social inequality. This inequality is institutionalized and has a consistency and coherence over time. Forms of social stratification, usually cited are the castes, estates and classes.

Assignment

How do slavery, caste, and class system of social stratification differ?

Social Stratification

The term “social stratification” is commonly used to designate "the differentiation of a given population into hierarchically superposed" on the basis of "an unequal distribution of rights and privileges, duties and responsibilities, values ??and social deprivation, of social power and influence among members of a society". In other words, the social stratification indicates inequality of the social system at two levels: a distribution, the amount of resources and material rewards received by individuals and groups, the other relationship, i.e. the power relations between individuals and groups (Rose, 2007).

Slavery

Slavery is an extreme form of inequality in which some individuals are possessed by others as their property. The conditions of slaves were variable in some places, like Classical Athens, slaves often held positions of substantial responsibility though remained the property of their owners. On the contrary people, who built the pyramids and worked in mines or plantations, had much less freedom and were treated as inhumane.

Caste

The caste system is mostly associated with the cultures of India, the word caste comes from Portuguese means pure breed or strain, "is a form of social stratification based on ascriptive characteristics of the people", there is a global caste, there are many, but all share a number of common elements, there is a group (untouchables) who are outcaste, and the Brahmins who are above all the caste systems in the middle would find merchants, peasants. .. In India there is a collective mobility (the mobility is impossible to slavery, who was born a slave, slave dies) a whole group change establishment. Also, the caste of the individual is similar to the caste system determined by birth, with entry or exits are also theoretically impossible (unless you would leave the Hindu religion and become a Buddhist or Christian). The social mobility within the box but is actually nonexistent. So in practice, a member can be expelled from his caste, which is similar to excommunication in the medieval Christian West (Massey, 2007). Also, a member falls into a lower caste spouse, regardless of whether it is the man or woman.

Class System

A social class system is comprised of ranked subgroups in a stratified society. Membership in a social class is determined by economic criteria, such as income, property ownership, or educational ...