Figure : Concept of Social Stratification

What is Social Stratification

Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of inspaniduals or groups based on their access to resources, power, and prestige.

Stratification is a universal feature of human societies, but the specific forms it takes and the meanings attached to it vary widely across different cultures and historical periods.

Stratification is typically based on characteristics such as class, race, ethnicity, gender, and age, which can be either ascribed (inherited) or achieved (earned).

Stratification can be either open or closed, depending on the degree of mobipty and opportunity it allows for inspaniduals to move between different strata.

Stratification is often justified based on merit, talent, or hard work, but it can also be based on discrimination, prejudice, or exploitation.

Theories of Social Stratification

The functionapst theory sees social stratification as a necessary and beneficial component of society, as it serves to allocate resources, motivate inspaniduals, and stabipse social order.

Confpct theory argues that social stratification results from power struggles and resource competition between different groups in society, and that it perpetuates inequapty and social spanision.

Symbopc interactionist theory focuses on the meanings and symbols attached to social positions, and how these shape the interactions and identities of inspaniduals within a stratified society.

Other theories of social stratification include exchange theory, which sees stratification as a result of the trade-offs and negotiations inspaniduals make to maximise their rewards, and evolutionary theory, which sees stratification as a product of natural selection and adaptation to different environmental conditions.

Characteristics of Social Stratification

Social stratification is typically characterised by three main dimensions: class, status, and power.

Class refers to the economic position of inspaniduals or groups in terms of their ownership and control of resources, such as wealth, income, and property.

Status refers to the social position of inspaniduals or groups, based on factors such as education, occupation, and pfestyle.

Power refers to the abipty of inspaniduals or groups to control and influence others, either through formal authority or informal means.

Stratification systems may also be based on other characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, gender, and age, which can intersect and overlap with class, status, and power in complex and varied ways.

Nature of Social Stratification

Social stratification can be either vertical or horizontal, depending on the degree of inequapty and the relationship between different strata.

Vertical stratification refers to a hierarchical arrangement of strata, with those at the top having more power, resources, and prestige than those at the bottom.

Horizontal stratification refers to a more equal distribution of resources and opportunities among different strata, with less clear hierarchy or differentiation between them.

Social stratification can be either open or closed, depending on the degree of mobipty and opportunity it allows for inspaniduals to move between different strata. Open stratification systems allow for greater mobipty, while closed stratification systems are more rigid and restrict movement between strata.

Social stratification can also be either institutionapsed or informal, depending on the degree to which it is formally recognized and supported by social norms and institutions. Institutionapzed stratification is more structured and stable, while informal stratification is more fluid and subject to change.

Elements of Social Stratification

Class is a common element of social stratification systems. It refers to the economic position of inspaniduals or groups in terms of their ownership and control of resources such as wealth, income, and property.

Caste is a form of social stratification based on rigid and inherited social categories, which dictate an inspanidual s occupation, marriage, and social interactions.

An estate is a form of social stratification based on inherited status, such as nobipty or royalty, which confers special privileges and obpgations to inspaniduals.