This document discusses the concepts of social stratification and the theories behind it. It defines social stratification as the hierarchical arrangement of people in society based on factors such as wealth, power, and prestige. The document outlines functionalist and Marxist theories of social stratification, comparing how they view the roles and relationships between social classes. It also distinguishes between social classes and castes, noting that classes are more open and allow for social mobility while castes are strictly hereditary.

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Socio Economic StratificationSocio Economic Stratification
FS 101 – Advanced Foundation of Education
Ruel A. PunzalanRuel A. Punzalan
ReporterReporter

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Today’s ObjectivesToday’s Objectives
 To Clarify the Concept of Social Stratification andTo Clarify the Concept of Social Stratification and
Discus its other relevant aspects.Discus its other relevant aspects.
 To Discus Related Theories and Consequences ofTo Discus Related Theories and Consequences of
Social Stratification.Social Stratification.

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Definitions of Social StratificationDefinitions of Social Stratification
What is Social Stratification?What is Social Stratification?
1.1. ““Social Stratification is the division of society in permanentSocial Stratification is the division of society in permanent
groups or categories linked with each other by thegroups or categories linked with each other by the
relationship of superior and subordination.” (Gisbert)relationship of superior and subordination.” (Gisbert)
2.2. ““Stratification is a Horizontal division of society into higherStratification is a Horizontal division of society into higher
and lower social units.” (Raymond W.Murray)and lower social units.” (Raymond W.Murray)
●
Social Stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement ofSocial Stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of
people in a society.people in a society.

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Conclusion of definitionConclusion of definition
1)1) SSocial stratification is “ the division of society levels, stepsocial stratification is “ the division of society levels, steps
or positions.”or positions.”
2)2) SStratification is, in essence, the structured inequality oftratification is, in essence, the structured inequality of
entire categories of People.”entire categories of People.”
3)3) SStratification is different than mere inequality, which refertratification is different than mere inequality, which refer
to the uneven distribution of opportunities and rewards toto the uneven distribution of opportunities and rewards to
individuals and groups.”individuals and groups.”
4)4) WWhen these inequalities becomes structured into society andhen these inequalities becomes structured into society and
passed on from generation to generation, we have socialpassed on from generation to generation, we have social
Stratification.”Stratification.”

5. Four basic principlesFour basic principles
 Social stratification is based on four basicSocial stratification is based on four basic
principles:principles:
1.1. Social stratification is a trait of society, notSocial stratification is a trait of society, not
simply a reflection of individual differences;simply a reflection of individual differences;
2.2. Social stratification carries over fromSocial stratification carries over from
generation to generation;generation to generation;
3.3. Social stratification is universal but variable;Social stratification is universal but variable;
4.4. Social stratification involves not justSocial stratification involves not just
inequality but beliefs as well.inequality but beliefs as well.

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Dimensions of Social StratificationDimensions of Social Stratification
1.1. Wealth:-Wealth:- TThe economic assets of an individual, includinghe economic assets of an individual, including
income, monetary assets and other holdings.income, monetary assets and other holdings.
2.2. Power:-Power:- The ability to attain goals and maintain influenceThe ability to attain goals and maintain influence
over others, even in the absence of their consent.over others, even in the absence of their consent.
3.3. Prestige:-Prestige:- The approval and respect received from otherThe approval and respect received from other
members of society.members of society.

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Consequences of Social StratificationConsequences of Social Stratification
a)a) LLongevityongevity
b)b) HHealth and illnessealth and illness
c)c) CChildbearing and Rearinghildbearing and Rearing
d)d) CCrime and Criminal Justice Contactsrime and Criminal Justice Contacts

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Theories of Social StratificationTheories of Social Stratification
Functionalist TheoryFunctionalist Theory
1.1. functionalist theory understands society as a “System” orfunctionalist theory understands society as a “System” or
“Organism”“Organism”
2.2. AAs functionalists, Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moores functionalists, Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore
contended that stratification was a necessity for societycontended that stratification was a necessity for society
because:because:
3.3. SSociety has numerous positions that must be fulfilled if it isociety has numerous positions that must be fulfilled if it is
to function properly.to function properly.

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( Continue)( Continue) Functionalist TheoryFunctionalist Theory
4.4. SSome positions, however are more important for theome positions, however are more important for the
maintenance of society ( e.g., physicians )maintenance of society ( e.g., physicians )
5.5. FFinally, some positions require special talents that are notinally, some positions require special talents that are not
generally prevalent in the population.generally prevalent in the population.
6.6. HHence, functionally important positions and/or positionsence, functionally important positions and/or positions
requiring rare talent are rewarded most highly.requiring rare talent are rewarded most highly.

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Criticisms of Functional TheoryCriticisms of Functional Theory
 Ex Post Facto Judgment of Functional Importance of PositionsEx Post Facto Judgment of Functional Importance of Positions
• Critics question the functional importance of certain highlyCritics question the functional importance of certain highly
rewarded positions such as actors and sports figures, in contrastrewarded positions such as actors and sports figures, in contrast
to positions such as school teachers or social workers.to positions such as school teachers or social workers.
 The stratification system itself Inhibits Talent and AbilitiesThe stratification system itself Inhibits Talent and Abilities
• Many barriers are placed in the way of individuals from lowerMany barriers are placed in the way of individuals from lower
classes to keep them from competing effectively.classes to keep them from competing effectively.

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Marxist Conflict TheoryMarxist Conflict Theory
1.1. SSuggest that social stratification is determined by theuggest that social stratification is determined by the
Relations of Production.Relations of Production.
2.2. BBourgeoisie- capitalists who own the means of production.ourgeoisie- capitalists who own the means of production.
3.3. PProletariat- wage laborers who sell their labor toroletariat- wage laborers who sell their labor to
bourgeoisie.bourgeoisie.
4.4. IInterests of these two classes are intrinsically opposed.nterests of these two classes are intrinsically opposed.
5.5. PPower of the capitalists allows them to impose their will andower of the capitalists allows them to impose their will and
realize their interests.realize their interests.
6.6. AAccording to Marx, the proletariat will eventually develop according to Marx, the proletariat will eventually develop a
class consciousness, and ultimately overthrow theclass consciousness, and ultimately overthrow the
capitalists.capitalists.

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Comparing Functional and Conflict TheoriesComparing Functional and Conflict Theories
What is Caste?What is Caste?
• Definition of CasteDefinition of Caste
 ““When a class is somewhat strictly hereditary, we may call it aWhen a class is somewhat strictly hereditary, we may call it a
Caste.” (Cooly, C.H)Caste.” (Cooly, C.H)
 ““When status is wholly predetermined, so that men are born toWhen status is wholly predetermined, so that men are born to
their lot in life without any hope of changing it, then Classtheir lot in life without any hope of changing it, then Class
takes the form of Class.” (Maclver)takes the form of Class.” (Maclver)
 ““A Caste is an aggregate of persons whose share of obligationsA Caste is an aggregate of persons whose share of obligations
and privileges is fixed by birth, sanctioned and supported byand privileges is fixed by birth, sanctioned and supported by
magic and religion. “( Martindale and Monachesi) .magic and religion. “( Martindale and Monachesi) .

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( Continue )( Continue ) Comparing Functional and Conflict TheoriesComparing Functional and Conflict Theories
What is Class?What is Class?
 Definition of ClassDefinition of Class
 ““A Social Class is any portion of community marked off from theA Social Class is any portion of community marked off from the
rest by Social Status.” ( Maclver )rest by Social Status.” ( Maclver )
 It is the sense of status, sustained by the Economic, Political orIt is the sense of status, sustained by the Economic, Political or
ecclesiastical Power and by the distinctive modes of life andecclesiastical Power and by the distinctive modes of life and
cultural Expressions Corresponding to them, that draws Classcultural Expressions Corresponding to them, that draws Class
apart. From class, gives Cohesion to Each class and Stratifies aapart. From class, gives Cohesion to Each class and Stratifies a
whole society.” ( Ibid ).whole society.” ( Ibid ).
 A Social Class is the aggregate of persons having essentially theA Social Class is the aggregate of persons having essentially the
same social status in a given Society.” ( Ogburn and Nimkoff ).same social status in a given Society.” ( Ogburn and Nimkoff ).

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Distinction between Class and CasteDistinction between Class and Caste

15. The stratification of society is also basedThe stratification of society is also based
upon either anupon either an openopen, or, or closedclosed systemsystem..
 OPENOPEN
Status isStatus is achievedachieved throughthrough
merit, and effortmerit, and effort . This is. This is
sometimes known as asometimes known as a
meritocracymeritocracy. The UK is a. The UK is a
relatively open society,relatively open society,
although disadvantagedalthough disadvantaged
groups within society face agroups within society face a
glass ceiling.glass ceiling.
 ClosedClosed
Status isStatus is ascribedascribed, rather, rather
than achieved. Ascribedthan achieved. Ascribed
status can be based uponstatus can be based upon
several factors, such asseveral factors, such as
family backgroundfamily background (e.g.(e.g.
the feudal system consiststhe feudal system consists
of landowners and serfs).of landowners and serfs).
Political factorsPolitical factors may alsomay also
play a role (e.g. societiesplay a role (e.g. societies
organised on the basis oforganised on the basis of
communism), as cancommunism), as can
ethnicityethnicity (e.g. the former(e.g. the former
apartheid regime in Southapartheid regime in South
Africa) and religion.Africa) and religion.

16. Structure of inequalityStructure of inequality
The power of the elite within society is based upon:The power of the elite within society is based upon:
Income
Wealth
A network of social
connections

17. The power of the elite within society isThe power of the elite within society is
based upon;based upon;
IncomeIncome
WealthWealth
A network of social connectionsA network of social connections ––
sometimes known as the ‘old boys network’sometimes known as the ‘old boys network’

18. Organization of ModernOrganization of Modern
Western societiesWestern societies
 In modernIn modern Western societiesWestern societies, stratification is, stratification is
broadly organized into three main layers:broadly organized into three main layers:
upper class,upper class,
middle classmiddle class
lower classlower class
Each of these classes can be further subdivided into smallerEach of these classes can be further subdivided into smaller
classes e.g occupationalclasses e.g occupational

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Social Class in PakistanSocial Class in Pakistan
 Sociologist are not agreed as to how social Classes Should beSociologist are not agreed as to how social Classes Should be
Distinguished.Distinguished.
 Most Commonly, 5 Classes are Identified:Most Commonly, 5 Classes are Identified:
• Upper ClassUpper Class
• Upper-Middle ClassUpper-Middle Class
• Lower-Middle ClassLower-Middle Class
• Working ClassWorking Class
• Lower ClassLower Class
 Each of these Classes represent Differences is both Income andEach of these Classes represent Differences is both Income and
Lifestyle Characteristics .Lifestyle Characteristics .

20. 2020
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