Chapter 10

Stratification: Class, Race,

Ethnicity, and Caste

Social Stratification

• A relatively permanent unequal distribution of goods and services in a society

• The ways this distribution takes place depends on the organization of production, cultural values, and the access that different individuals and groups have to the means for achieving social goals in society.

Theories of Stratification• Functionalism specifies that specific cultural

institutions function to support the structure of society or serve the needs of individuals in society.• Weaknesses:

• Not all of society’s most difficult jobs are well rewarded.

• Social stratification does not always result in recruiting to right people for difficult jobs.

• Money’s ability to motivate people has limits.• While inequality may be inevitable, it does

sometimes erupt into violence.

Theories of Stratification

• Conflict theory focuses on inequality as a source of conflict and change.• Weaknesses:

•Conflict theorists sometimes ignore the social mechanisms that promote solidarity across class, racial, ethnic, and caste lines.

Criteria of Stratification

• Power is the ability to control resources in one’s own interest.

• Wealth is the accumulation of material resources or access to the means of producing these resources.

• Prestige is social honor or respect.

Class Systems

• A class is a category of persons with about the same opportunity to obtain economic resources, power, and prestige and who are ranked high and low in relation to each other.

• There are possibilities for movement between the classes or social strata, called social mobility.

Social Class in the United States

• Status depends on occupation, education, and lifestyle.

• “The American Dream” is based on the democratic principle of equality and opportunity for all.

• Social class in the United States correlates with attitudinal, behavioral, and lifestyle differences.

Income and Social Class

• Income is the most important determinant of social class.

• Sufficient and steady income is essential toward saving and accumulating assets.

Income and Social Class

From 1980-2010:• The after-tax income of the top 1% of

American households jumped 139% to more than $700,000.

• The income of the middle fifth of households rose 17%, to $43,700.

• The income of the poorest fifth rose only 9%.

Life Chances

• Life chances are the opportunities people have to fulfill their potential in society.

• They include: • chances of survival and longevity.• opportunities to obtain an education.• opportunities to participate in cultural life.• opportunities to live in comfort and security.

Social Classes as Subcultures

• Many studies demonstrate that social class correlates with differences in attitudes, behavior, lifestyle, and values.

• A social class has aspects of a subculture. • Members share similar life experiences,

occupational roles, values, educational backgrounds, affiliations, leisure activities, buying habits, religious affiliation, and political views.

The Cultural Construction of Race• Race is a culturally-constructed category based

on perceived physical differences.• Based on perceived hereditary differences• Not a natural category, but a social and

cultural fact• Used to justify differential treatment and

discrimination• Affects the lives of both racial majorities

and minorities

Race and Racism

• Highly correlated with industrial pollution and natural disasters (such as Hurricane Katrina).

• Affects jobs and educational opportunities, access to fair credit, salary levels, social mobility, home ownership, mortgage rates, use of public space, etc.

Intersection of Race and Class• Long-standing inequalities in:

• income and wealth• educational opportunities

• Involuntary minorities suffer discrimination in their own country.

• Voluntary minority are immigrants who put emphasis on education as the main route to economic success.

Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.

With the election of President Barack Obama and the appointment of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, how have the definitions of ethnicity and race been challenged in the United States?

Ethnicity

• Is a constructed narrative that focuses on cultural rather than racial differences

• Nation-states may be characterized by ethnic stratification, as different ethnic groups have differential access to political and economic resources.

Ethnicity in U.S.• Until the mid-20th century was based upon the

ideology of assimilation:• Immigrants should abandon their cultural

distinctiveness and become mainstream Americans.

• After civil rights era of 1960s, ideology shifted to multiculturalism:• Cultural diversity is a positive value that

makes an important contribution to contemporary society.

Caste System

• System of stratification based on birth (ascribed status).

• Movement from one caste to another is not possible.

• Castes are hereditary, endogamous, ranked in relation to one another and usually associated with a traditional occupation.

Caste System in India

The Castes• Brahmins • Kshatriyas• Vaisyas• Shudras• Dalits

Hindu Caste System

Four caste categories, and one lower group1. Brahmins are priests and scholars.2. Kshatriyas are the ruling and warrior

caste.3. Vaisyas are merchants. 4. Shudras are menial workers and

artisans.5. Dalits are “untouchables.”

Changes in the Caste System

• Caste ranking appears to be less sharply defined within the higher caste categories.

• Caste is less relevant for occupations. • Differences in caste are referred to as

cultural differences, rather than as a hierarchy based on spiritual purity.

Bringing it Back Home: Government Responsibility vs. Wealth

• The expansion of the American middle class from the 1940s to the 1970s was largely based on government programs including the G.I. Bill, Social Security, unemployment insurance, a progressive income tax, and federal mortgage assistance programs.

Bringing it Back Home: Government Responsibility vs. Wealth

• This expansion involved the vision that government should improve citizens’ economic security and economic opportunities.

• Supporters of this view hold that expansion policies put more money in the hands of consumers, leading to increased demand for goods, a growing economy and a more equitable distribution of wealth.

Bringing it Back Home: Government Responsibility vs. Wealth

• The opposing view, the “gospel of wealth,” argues the following:• Government regulations stifle entrepreneurial

initiative.• Progressive taxation and policies like a

minimum wage undermine investment.• Government entitlement programs, like social

security, welfare, and health care, lead to a declining sense of individual responsibility.