Content 7 Social and Political Stratification

Topic 1 Social Desirables

Topic 1: Social Desirables

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lesson, the learners should be able to:
 differentiate social from political stratification,
 explain the meaning and characteristics of social desirables,
 identify features of the systems of stratification, and
 examine stratification in the functionalist and conflict perspective.

Questions:

Your financially-challenged friend is a service crew at a well-known fast food chain. The management considers him as
the best member in the area. One time, the owner came to visit the store. Your friend was assigned to assist, but instead
of successfully aiding the owner, he made numerous mistakes and failures throughout the site visit.

 In your perspective, what made your friend fail at such simple task?
 Is there a difference in terms of power between the service crew and the owner?

Society is divided into several groups or classes that are different from each other in terms o socioeconomic capability. In
the previous example, it was clear that there was a difference in social class between the worker and the owner, thus
making interaction varied and complicated.

This difference can be accounted by social desirables, a sociological concept that exists in all societies.

Social and Political Stratification

The dictionary defines stratification as 'something that has been arranged into categories.'

 Social stratification refers to the kind and degree of distribution of resources within a social system.

Examples: wealth, status, prestige, and privilege

 Political stratification is best explained as the extent to which such inequalities are enclosed in, or influenced
by, political structures and processes.

Examples: involving influence, authority, or power

The Meaning and Characteristics of Social Desirables

Social desirables are factors that affect social stratification. A social hierarchy exists because of the unequal distribution
of social desirables—property, power, and prestige—in a society where the larger population of financially-challenged
individuals have less social desirables than the smaller group of rich people.

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Content 7 Social and Political Stratification
Topic 1 Social Desirables

The following describes each social desirable:

 property" income-producing assets that people own (e.g. real estate) that increase financial wealth
 power: the capacity to influence individuals or activities to achieve wealth and prestige
 prestige: an individual’s status among his peers in society

These three factors dictate one’s place in society. Ideally, the greater social desirable a person has denotes a higher
position in society. Because social desirables come hand in hand, more top class people become well-known and
influential in society and, as such, are treated with greater care and professionalism.

Examples:

 Service quality in high-end restaurants significantly differ from casual dining venues.
 In significant societal functions, good seats are usually reserved for high-ranking individuals.
 People quickly follow trends set by powerful and influential people.

The Role of Social Desirables in a Functionalist Perspective

 In a functionalist society, all social elements are seen as contributing factors in reaching social equilibrium and
balance.
 Social desirables serve as rewards for fulfilling certain social goals.
 Inequality is seen as universal and, therefore, allows unequal distribution of power, prestige, and property without
disrupting the social structure.
 The most important positions in society are rewarded the most.

The Role of Social Desirables in a Conflict Perspective

 A conflict perspective views the attainment of social desirables as a constant competition for scarce resources.
 Inequality greatly exists in a society that drives people to compete for resources, resulting to social change and
continuous conflict.
 People with social desirables are given more importance and priority than ordinary workers and individuals.
 Social desirables dictate how one should be treated in a society of inequality.

Key Points:
 Social stratification refers to the kind and degree of distribution of resources within a social system
while political stratification is best understood as the extent to which such inequalities are encapsulated in, or
influenced by, political structures and processes.
 Social desirables are factors that influence social stratification.
 A social hierarchy exists because of the unequal distribution of social desirables in a society where the larger
population of financially-challenged individuals have less social desirables than the smaller group of rich people.
 In a functionalist society, all social elements are seen as contributing factors in reaching social equilibrium and
balance.
 A conflict perspective views the attainment of social desirables as a constant competition for scarce resources.
 Windigo psychosis, which thrives among the North American tribes, is believed to be a condition characterized
by intense craving for human flesh for consumption or eating.

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Content 7 Social and Political Stratification
Topic 1 Social Desirables

Activity:
List down ten people you know. These may be celebrities, relatives, friends, or anyone you know. On a sheet of paper,
create three columns and label them "Higher", "Middle", and "Lower" respectively. Try to categorize the names you have
identified into one of the categories you have made. Note that a person may only fall under one category. Once you have
already categorized all names, identify the reasons why you placed them in your chosen category.

Points for Reflection:

 Nowadays, people who have power, prestige, and property are not limited to politicians or businesspeople. They
extend to local and international celebrities who were found to be hugely influential especially among young
populations.
Being part of the youth yourself, how do think these celebrities influence your peers? Do they affect you positively
or negatively?

 Can all social desirables be passed on from one generation to another? Why? Why not?

Notes:
 Social class may change depending on social desirables. For instance, if a poor person won big in the lottery and
managed to develop successful businesses from his winnings, then he is most likely to belong to a higher class
than he did before.
 Power, prestige, and property do not necessarily need to be at high levels at the same time. A person, for
example, may have power or influence at societal issues but do not necessarily have properties at par with
businesspeople, yet he remains to be at a high social position.

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