The document discusses social differences and social stratification. It notes that sociologists study differences in terms of inequality, stratification, and class. Inequality refers to unequal access to social rewards, stratification refers to how inequalities are passed down through generations, and class refers to social groups with unequal access to wealth, power, and prestige. The document then examines different systems of social stratification including slavery, castes, estates, and social class. It discusses Karl Marx's theory of class struggle and exploitation as well as Max Weber's focus on class, status, and power. Finally, it defines social mobility as movement within a stratification system and describes different types.

1. Social DifferencesSocial Differences
 The differences between have and have-The differences between have and have-
notes are central preoccupations ofnotes are central preoccupations of
sociologistssociologists
 The differences are studied in terms ofThe differences are studied in terms of
three variables:three variables:
-- InequalityInequality
- StratificationStratification
- Class- Class

2. Social DifferencesSocial Differences
(con.)(con.)
 InequalityInequality:: the condition in which peoplethe condition in which people
don’t have equal access to socialdon’t have equal access to social
rewards such as money power andrewards such as money power and
prestigeprestige
 StratificationStratification:: the ways in which thesethe ways in which these
inequalities are likely to beinequalities are likely to be passedpassed fromfrom
one generation to the next producingone generation to the next producing
layers oflayers of stratastrata of people in the societyof people in the society

3. Social DifferencesSocial Differences
(con.)(con.)
 Social ClassSocial Class:: existence of social groupsexistence of social groups
withwith unequal accessunequal access to wealth, power,to wealth, power,
and prestige, these sometimes becomeand prestige, these sometimes become
significantsignificant political groupspolitical groups on the basis ofon the basis of
their position in the societytheir position in the society
 Two features of social class:Two features of social class:
 A.A. Class in itselfClass in itself
 B.B. Class for itselfClass for itself

4. Objectives of thisObjectives of this
chapterchapter
 What is the nature of relationships bw /What is the nature of relationships bw /
among different classes ?among different classes ?
 How this nature of relations are identifiedHow this nature of relations are identified
by different social classes?by different social classes?
 Why and how do we follow the system asWhy and how do we follow the system as
a member of a society?a member of a society?

5. Is InequalityIs Inequality
Universal ?Universal ?
 Inequality exists in all societiesInequality exists in all societies
 Differentiation is made based on what isDifferentiation is made based on what is
valued: economic capacity, bravery, etc.valued: economic capacity, bravery, etc.
 Differences in status is symbolized inDifferences in status is symbolized in
different ways: body mark, uniformdifferent ways: body mark, uniform
 Traits with higher value is associatedTraits with higher value is associated
with higher respect/prestigewith higher respect/prestige
 Inequality is resistance to rapid changeInequality is resistance to rapid change

6. System of SocialSystem of Social
StratificationStratification
 When system of inequality based on hierarchyWhen system of inequality based on hierarchy
of groups sociologist defined it as stratificationof groups sociologist defined it as stratification
 Sociologists try to pay attention how theseSociologists try to pay attention how these
social system makes some privileged positionsocial system makes some privileged position
for one group and makes other deprived.for one group and makes other deprived.
 Investigate different nature and forms of socialInvestigate different nature and forms of social
relationship developed by different system ofrelationship developed by different system of
social stratificationsocial stratification

7. System of SocialSystem of Social
StratificationStratification
 SlaverySlavery
 CastesCastes
 EstateEstate
 Social ClassSocial Class

8. SlaverySlavery
 Extreme in nature but legalized stratificationExtreme in nature but legalized stratification
systemsystem
 In this system human being are treated asIn this system human being are treated as
domestic petdomestic pet
 Owner of the slave (Owner of the slave (PatricianPatrician) have the right to) have the right to
do anything by the slave (do anything by the slave (PlebianPlebian))
 Mostly inherited in social practicesMostly inherited in social practices
 Slave master gets the highest social position inSlave master gets the highest social position in
this stratification system comparing slave getsthis stratification system comparing slave gets
the lowestthe lowest

9. SlaverySlavery
 Ascribed social status practicedAscribed social status practiced
 Social mobility: few in practicedSocial mobility: few in practiced
 Name, work, property rights, social statusName, work, property rights, social status
are determined by your group identity.are determined by your group identity.
 Examples: Ancient Greek and RomanExamples: Ancient Greek and Roman
civilizationcivilization

10. CastesCastes
 Social stratification based on Religion or bySocial stratification based on Religion or by
birthbirth
 Different nature of stratification system isDifferent nature of stratification system is
practicing in South Asian societypracticing in South Asian society
 Individual name, occupation, propertyIndividual name, occupation, property
inheritance, marital status are determined byinheritance, marital status are determined by
one’s caste identityone’s caste identity
 There is no or little scope for changing casteThere is no or little scope for changing caste
identityidentity

11. EstatesEstates
 Stratification system based on agricultureStratification system based on agriculture
mode of productionmode of production
 Stratification system has great linked withStratification system has great linked with
FeudalismFeudalism
 Land is the main source of classifyingLand is the main source of classifying
individual social identity and prestigeindividual social identity and prestige
 Social identity and social prestige developedSocial identity and social prestige developed
on your land area.on your land area.
 No or little mobility observedNo or little mobility observed

12. Social classSocial class
 Modern and different in form and natureModern and different in form and nature
comparing with other stratification systemcomparing with other stratification system
 Industrial society practices this type ofIndustrial society practices this type of
stratification systemstratification system
 Hierarchical position based on individual’sHierarchical position based on individual’s
income and job statusincome and job status
 Blue collar and white collar jobBlue collar and white collar job
 One has the access to change his socialOne has the access to change his social
position and identity by his own attainment orposition and identity by his own attainment or
achievementachievement

13. Social ClassSocial Class
 Social mobility is high and society isSocial mobility is high and society is
open for accepting one’s changeopen for accepting one’s change
 Daniel Rossides class model of industrialDaniel Rossides class model of industrial
societysociety
 Upper classUpper class 1-2 percent1-2 percent
 Upper middle classUpper middle class 10-15 percent10-15 percent
 Lower middle classLower middle class 30-35 percent30-35 percent
 Working class, andWorking class, and 40-45 percent40-45 percent


14. Theory of Stratification:Theory of Stratification:
Karl MarxKarl Marx
 Why K.Marx is evaluated as not only a socialWhy K.Marx is evaluated as not only a social
scientist but also ascientist but also a revolutionaryrevolutionary thinker?thinker?
 Evaluated human history into diff. phasesEvaluated human history into diff. phases
determined by mode of productiondetermined by mode of production
 Investigated the nature of relationship betweenInvestigated the nature of relationship between
two classes: Exploitationtwo classes: Exploitation
 Feudal societyFeudal society
 capitalist societycapitalist society
 Why capitalist society special for diff.Why capitalist society special for diff.
nature of exploitation?nature of exploitation?
 Development of dominant ideology andDevelopment of dominant ideology and
its relation with Proletariat cultureits relation with Proletariat culture

15. Karl MarxKarl Marx
 Class consciousness: Awareness of commonClass consciousness: Awareness of common
vested interestvested interest
 Two types:Two types:
 False class consciousness: I am beingFalse class consciousness: I am being
exploited by my bossexploited by my boss
 True class consciousness: All workers areTrue class consciousness: All workers are
being exploited by the bourgeoisiebeing exploited by the bourgeoisie
 The history of all hitherto existing society is theThe history of all hitherto existing society is the
history of class struggles….the proletarianshistory of class struggles….the proletarians
have nothing to lose but their chains.have nothing to lose but their chains.

16. Karl MarxKarl Marx
 Different phases of human society:Different phases of human society:
- Primitive communismPrimitive communism
- SlaverySlavery
-- FeudalismFeudalism
-- CapitalismCapitalism
- SocialismSocialism
- CommunismCommunism
 What are the ignored area of this view:What are the ignored area of this view:

17. Max Weber’s viewMax Weber’s view
 Main focus: Class, status, powerMain focus: Class, status, power
 Class: refer to people who have similarClass: refer to people who have similar
level of wealth and incomelevel of wealth and income
 Status: refer to group of people who rankStatus: refer to group of people who rank
the same in prestige or lifestylethe same in prestige or lifestyle
 Power: ability to exercise one’s will overPower: ability to exercise one’s will over
othersothers
 Our position reflected some combinationOur position reflected some combination
of class, status and powerof class, status and power

18. Social mobilitySocial mobility
 Refers to movement of individuals or groupRefers to movement of individuals or group
from one position to another within afrom one position to another within a
society’s stratification systemsociety’s stratification system
 Related to social ranking or prestigeRelated to social ranking or prestige
rankingranking
 Open society and closed societyOpen society and closed society
 Types:Types:
 Horizontal mobility: change the socialHorizontal mobility: change the social
position but remain the same rankposition but remain the same rank
 Vertical mobility: one position to another ofVertical mobility: one position to another of

19. Social mobilitySocial mobility
 Types of vertical mobilityTypes of vertical mobility
 A. intragenerational mobilityA. intragenerational mobility
 B. intergenerational mobilityB. intergenerational mobility
 C. stratum or structural mobilityC. stratum or structural mobility

20.  Intragenerational mobility, also termed career mobility, refers to a change in anIntragenerational mobility, also termed career mobility, refers to a change in an
individual's social standing, especially in the workforce, such as occurs when anindividual's social standing, especially in the workforce, such as occurs when an
individual works his way up the corporate ladder.individual works his way up the corporate ladder.
 Intergenerational mobility refers to a change in social standing across generations,Intergenerational mobility refers to a change in social standing across generations,
such as occurs when a person from a lower class family graduates from medical‐such as occurs when a person from a lower class family graduates from medical‐
school.school.