Chapter 7Class and Stratification in the U.S.

What Is Social Stratification? Global Systems of Stratification Classical Perspectives on Social Class Sociological Models of the U.S. Class Structure

Chapter 7Class and Stratification in the U.S.

Inequality in the United States Poverty in the United States Sociological Explanations of Social Inequality

in the United States Social Stratification in the Future

Stratification

Patterns or structural inequity in societies. Associated with financial status, race/ethnicity,

gender and age.

Systems of Stratification

Slavery Caste Systems Class Systems

Characteristics of Slavery

Slavery is inherited and lasts for life. Slaves were considered property; not human

beings. Slaves were denied rights. Coercion was used to keep slaves “in their

place.”

Caste System

Sustained by cultural beliefs and values. Grow weaker as societies industrialize. Vestiges of caste systems often remain for

hundreds of years beyond the time when they were abolished.

Perspectives of Social Class

Marx - Class position is determined by people’s relationship to the means of production.

Weber - Developed an approach that focused on the interplay among wealth, prestige and power in determining class.

The Weberian Model of the U.S. Class Structure

The Upper Class - comprised of people who own substantial income‑producing assets.

The Upper-Middle Class - based on university degrees, authority on the job, and high income.

The Middle Class - a minimum of a high school diploma or a community college degree.

The Weberian Model of the U.S. Class Structure

The Working Class - semiskilled workers, in routine, mechanized jobs, and workers in pink collar occupations.

The Working Poor - live just above to just below the poverty line.

The Underclass - includes people who are poor, seldom employed, and caught in long-term deprivation.

Marxian Criteria for Class Structure

1. Ownership of the means of production.

2. Purchase of the labor of others (employing others).

3. Control of the labor of others (supervising others on the job).

4. Sale of one's own labor (being employed by someone else).

Marxian Model of the Class Structure

Capitalist Class - composed of those who have inherited fortunes, own major corporations, or are corporate executives who own stock or control company investments.

Managerial Class - upper‑level managers, supervisors and lower‑level managers who may be given some control over employment practices.

Marxian Model of the Class Structure

Small-Business Class - small business owners, craftspeople, and professionals who hire a small number of employees but largely do their own work.

Working Class - blue‑collar workers and white‑collar workers do not own the means of production.

Functionalist Explanation for Social Inequality

The Davis-Moore thesis:

1. Societies have tasks that must be accomplished and positions that must be filled.

2. Some positions are more important than others.

Functionalist Explanation for Social Inequality

The Davis-Moore thesis:

3. The most important positions must be filled by the most qualified people.

4. Positions that are the most important and require the most training must be the most highly rewarded.

Functionalist Explanation for Social Inequality

The Davis-Moore thesis:

5. The most highly rewarded positions should be those which are functionally unique and those positions upon which others rely for expertise, direction, or financing.

Conflict Explanations of Social Inequality

Inequality does not serve as a source of motivation for people.

Powerful individuals and groups use ideology to maintain their positions at the expense of others.

Laws and informal social norms support inequality in the United States.