stratification

1. Social Stratification: Meaning, Origin, Development and other Details!
It we cast our glance on the society around us we find that it is heterogeneous in nature.
Here are the rich, there the poor; here are the industrialists, there the peasantry; here are
the rulers, there the sweepers.
Everywhere society is divided into various classes, economic, social, political and religious.
I. The Meaning of Social Stratification:
The process by which individuals and groups are ranked in a more or less enduring
hierarchy of status is known as stratification.’ According to Raymond W. Murray, “Social
stratification is a horizontal division of society into “higher” and “lower” social units.”
Every society is divided into more or less distinct groups. Even the most primitive societies
had some form of social stratification.
As Sorokin pointed out, “Un-stratified society with real equality of its members is a myth
which has never been realized in the history of mankind.” He writes, “Social stratification
means the differentiation of a given population into hierarchically superimposed classes. It
is manifested in the existence of upper and lower social layer. Its basis and very essence
consists in an unequal distribution of rights and privileges, duties and responsibilities,
social values and privations, social power and influences among the members of a society.
No society is un-stratified. Stratification involves the distribution of unequal rights and
privileges among the members of a society. According to Gisbert, “Social Stratification is
the division of society into permanent groups or categories linked with each other by the
relationship of superiority and subordination.” John F. Cuber and William F. Kenkel
regarded it as “a pattern of superimposed status of a. person or a group of persons in
society with the result that there comes to exist people, high or low, superior or inferior.”
According to Kurt B. Mayer, social stratification is “a system of differentiation which
includes a hierarchy of social positions whose occupants are treated as superior, equal, or
inferior relative to one another in socially important respects.” Lundberg writes, “A
stratified society is one marked by inequality, by differences among people that are
evaluated by them as being “lower” and “higher”. Williams defines social stratification as
the ranking of individuals on a scale of superiority-equality, according to some commonly
accepted basis of valuation.” Stratification is a process of ranking statuses which is found
in all societies.
It would thus be seen that inequality of status or rank differentiation is the distinguishing
feature of social stratification; where there is social stratification, there is social inequality.
Although men have always dreamed of a world in which there are no distinctions of rank
and all are equal, yet the hard fact is that society attaches different rights and perquisites
to different positions.

2. Some individuals and groups are rated higher than others on the basis of opportunities
and privileges that they enjoy. For example, in India doctors or engineers are rated higher
than teachers. As a class the former have a higher social prestige. The prestige attached to
different positions becomes a part of the social order and that is stratification.
It may however, be noted that the amount or type of prestige attached to different
positions need not be the same in all societies. Further, the basis for attaching different
prestige to different positions need not be rational.
There may be many causes for status differentiation. Some of these may be absolutely
superstitious, non-rational and hidden in the remote and forgotten past. It may be simply
a religious belief that a certain position was given higher prestige by divine decree.
Stratification tends to restrict interaction, so that there is more interaction of a given sort
within strata than between strata. In a given stratification system, certain kinds of
interaction may be more restricted than others.
In seeking a marriage partner, in choosing a profession, in making friends there may exist
more restrictions than in the flow of automobile traffic. A motorist takes or yields the right
of way according to certain rules and not according to the social position to which he and
others may belong.
How did stratification originate?
Gumplowicz, Oppenheimer and other sociologists contended that its origin is to be found
in the conquest of one group by another. The conquering group set itself as an upper class
dominating the conquered class which became lower class. Cecil North also considered
conquest of one group by another to be. highly conducive to the appearance of privilege.
He even asserted that “No great and permanent divisions of class appeared so long as a
peaceful mode of life was maintained.” Sorokin, however, did not agree with this view.
According to him, conflict may be regarded as facilitating stratification, but not as
originating it. Stratification is found in all the societies peaceful as well as warlike. He
attributed social stratification mainly to inherited individual differences and differences in
environmental conditions.
Racial differences accompanied by cultural dissimilarity also lead to stratification. India
was subjected to a series of racial and cultural invasions that overwhelmed the native
people and eventually led to caste system. Race is the chief factor in the American
stratification system.
According to Spengler, stratification is founded upon scarcity. Short supply or scarcity is
created whenever society differentiates positions in terms of functions and powers and

3. assigns rights and privileges to them. This makes some positions more desirable than
others for society grades them by their rewards. There are only a few corporation
presidencies or government executive offices available. Stratification evolves from the
allocation of scarce privileges and powers.
Kingsley Davis lays emphasis on the functional necessity of stratification. According to
him, a society must provide some rewards which it can use as inducements and have some
way of distributing these rewards differently according to position. The rewards and their
distribution, as attached to social positions, create social stratification.
These rewards may be in the form of economic incentives, aesthetic incentives and
symbolic incentives, (Symbolic incentives are the ones which contributed to self-respect
and ego-expansion). The differentiation of rewards produces social inequality.
According to Davis, social inequality is an unconsciously evolved device by which societies
insure that the most important positions are conscientiously filled by the most qualified
persons. Hence, every society must possess a certain amount of institutionalized
inequality, or social stratification.
The functional account of stratification is not accepted by other sociologists. According to
them, a system of stratification continues to exist because the members of society who are
in the highest strata want the system to continue unchanged. Power, not functional
necessity, is the key to understanding stratification.
Chiefs, kings, aristocrats or the upper class all have the same interest; to secure their
position, to discourage outsiders and thereby to control power relations so completely that
they alone determine who can enter their circle. What looks like functional necessity
therefore, is really elite control.
Social stratification assumes the form of class divisions in society. In the course of history,
various social classes have existed at different periods. Thus the slaves and slave-masters,
vassals and feudal lords, capitalists and workers have been the prominent classes. In
India, class has assumed a peculiar form in caste.
Since social stratification means division of society into social classes, therefore, now we
shall examine the idea of a ‘social class’.
Unsurprisingly, this has resulted in a system by which society ranks categories of people
in a hierarchy - what sociologists call social stratification. Think of nobility and
commoners in medieval times as an example. Those of noble blood who lived a life of
leisure were ranked far above peasants who worked off the land. Even today, some view

4. manual laborers as the least respected members of society, while those who are part of
'high society' are the most respected.
Of course, our society is much more diverse than that. America is sometimes described as
a kaleidoscope made up of a tremendous variety of people from all backgrounds. Diversity
in race, religion, education, and so on can certainly be a good thing. However, it can also
lead to differences in the way people are treated and the opportunities available to them.
For example, although we like to think that anyone can live the 'American dream' and
accomplish anything, that's not really the way it works in the real world. Those born to
privilege have more opportunities to succeed and continue being privileged, while those
who come from disadvantaged backgrounds don't typically have access to the education
and types of jobs that would help to drastically improve their situation.
Class System
It is a system of stratification on the basis of education, etc, Karl Max- 'Man is a class
animal' i.e. his status age, education etc are not same in the society property – capitalist &
the poor – the haves & the have notes.
Education – Illiterate & literate
Business or occupation- farmers, clerk officers, industrialists etc.
In general, class consciousness is a must in the class system. There must be the we
feeling. The charade of in group given by summer is found in the class system summer – I
belong ? identifying oneself in a particular group or family. The behavior of a person is
fixed due to their class consciousness. Trade union is a result of class consciousness.
These is feeling of superiority & inferiority in class syst. The higher has the feeling
superiority & the lower class feels inferior. In these classes too there is sub classes as
Upper Open class, middle upper class, lower upper class; lower middle class, middle
class; upper lower class, middle lower class, to lower2 class. Class system is open in
character. Because it is based on a variety of things like age, sex etc. Also one can
change one's less easily. The people of lower class may enter the upper class & those of
the upper class may become members of the lower class.
Definition Of Class
P.Gisbert - "A social class is a category or group of persons having a definite status in
society which permanently determines their relation to other group – feeling of superiority
& inferiorities. The relative position of the class in the social scale arises from the degree
of prestige attached to the status.
Mac Iver & Page - "A social class is any portion of community marked off the from the rest
by social status 'Ongburn & Nimk off. A social class is the aggregate of persons having
essentially the same social status in a given society." i.e. a class consciousness.
Max weber – held that "classes are aggregate of individuals who have the same
opportunities of acquiring goods. The same exhibited standard of lining.

5. Hoebal defines "A social class is a group within a society, whose members hold a no. of
distinctive status in common & who trough the operation of roles associated with these
status, develop are awareness of the life interest as against the unlike trait & interest of
other groups."
In general "A social class consists of group of individuals who are ranked by the members
of the community in socially superior inferior position."
Characteristics of class system:
1. Class system is based on occupation, wealth, education, age, sex
2. Hierarchy of status group. In general there are 3 class – upper middle & tower.
Status, prestige & role is attached. Upper class are less in no in comparison to the other
two whereas their status & prestige is most. This is like a pyramid. Karl max (Rich & poor)
preliterate &
3. Feeling of superiority & inferiority. In these 3 classes there are such feelings the
upper class people feel they are superior to the other two whereas the lower class feels it
is inferior to the upper class.
4. Class consciousness – wherever a class is formed this feeling a consciousness is a
must. There should be feeling of in group i.e. I belong class conflict is due to this the
people of the preliterate class feel the upper class exploits them their they unite revolt.
The behavior action is determined by this class consciousness.
5. Sub-classes, class is divided into different groups. Similar to caste system, the class
system is divided.
6. Class system is an open system.
7. There's social restriction in this too. In general there is endogamy in a class. To
maintain their status & position they mix among themselves & it is seldom that marriage
between upper & lower class is wished. Distinction between Caste & class. They are the
two phenomena of social stratification (Stratification is division of society on the basis of
birth).
S.No. Caste Class
1. Based on birth Birth, educ. Wealth etc.
2. In general there are 3000 castes &
sub-castes in India.
Whereas class has subclasses (based on
different things)
3. Define class syst. Discuss its
character
4. Distinguish between Caste & class

6. 5. Caste & class there are the 2
phenomena of social stratification.
How?
6. Caste is a closed class. Discuss.
Caste is a closed group whereas Class is an open system. Even Sanskritisation is unable
to change caste whereas class can be changed quiet easily.
Caste System. Caste is hereditary but there is no such thing in class. A child of Brahmin
will always be a Brahmin but not so in class.
Status is inborn and ascribed in Caste System whereas in class system, it is acquired &
achieved.
Open vs. Closed Systems
With what we've discussed so far, it may seem like social status never changes - that you
are stuck with one status forever. This is mostly true of a closed system of social
stratification in which status is ascribed from birth. In a closed system, there is little to
no social mobility, which is a change in position within the social hierarchy.
However, in an open system of social stratification, status is achieved through merit or
effort. In this meritocracy, as it is sometimes called, social mobility is more likely. Some
people move downward in social status because of failure, disgrace, or illness. Others
move horizontally, maybe switching jobs at the same level of the social hierarchy. And the
fortunate few are able to move upward. We love stories of individuals who rise to fame
from humble beginnings, such as Oprah Winfrey and J.K. Rowling.

7. 5. Caste & class there are the 2
phenomena of social stratification.
How?
6. Caste is a closed class. Discuss.
Caste is a closed group whereas Class is an open system. Even Sanskritisation is unable
to change caste whereas class can be changed quiet easily.
Caste System. Caste is hereditary but there is no such thing in class. A child of Brahmin
will always be a Brahmin but not so in class.
Status is inborn and ascribed in Caste System whereas in class system, it is acquired &
achieved.
Open vs. Closed Systems
With what we've discussed so far, it may seem like social status never changes - that you
are stuck with one status forever. This is mostly true of a closed system of social
stratification in which status is ascribed from birth. In a closed system, there is little to
no social mobility, which is a change in position within the social hierarchy.
However, in an open system of social stratification, status is achieved through merit or
effort. In this meritocracy, as it is sometimes called, social mobility is more likely. Some
people move downward in social status because of failure, disgrace, or illness. Others
move horizontally, maybe switching jobs at the same level of the social hierarchy. And the
fortunate few are able to move upward. We love stories of individuals who rise to fame
from humble beginnings, such as Oprah Winfrey and J.K. Rowling.