MODULE OF INSTRUCTION

Week 15

The society’s development relies on the progress made by the individua ls

that are part of it. Within large social groups are smaller groups which perform

various tasks that are essential for the overall development of the society. It is this

social stratification which can make or break a society, and so it is important to

focus on how social stratifications are developed, understand how they affect

different social institutions.

At the end of the lesson, you will learn the following:

1. Examine stratification from the functionalist and conflict perspectives

2. Identify characteristics of the systems of stratification

3. Suggest ways to address global inequalities

Social Stratification

The term social stratification refers to the division of large social groups

into smaller groups based on categories determined by economics.

The society is a hierarchy of individuals with varying access to or control

over basic economic resources. Among sociologists, social stratification is often

related to social standing, and it gives rise to inequality in society. Members of the

society are distinguished by their membership in and relation to social groups and

categories.

Manual Title
MODULE OF INSTRUCTION

In sociology, there are three different theoretical perspectives which can

be used to further examine social stratification. These are functionalism, conflict

theory, and symbolic interactionism.

Functionalism is a theoretical perspective that examines how various

aspects of society contribute to ensuring its stability and continued function.

Functionalists believe that each aspect of society is essential, and that social

stratification is based on the intrinsic value of social activities or roles.

Conflict Theory is a more critical perspective towards social stratification.

Conflict theorists often based their ideas from the works of Karl Marx.

According to Marx, social stratification is influenced by economic forces.

Moreover, relationships in society are defined by the factors of production. Society

is divided between two classes: the bourgeois (capitalists who own the factors of

production such as resources, land and businesses) and the proletariat (workers that

provide the manual labor needed for production.

The bourgeois are the upper class, who gain wealth through the profits

from their businesses. On the other hand, the proletariat belongs to the lower

classes, lacks power and influence, and the ones that experience more hardships.

The inequalities in the society are the reason workers experience alienation,

isolation, and misery due to their social status. It is the inequalities brought about

by social stratification which leads to conflict among social classes.

Lastly, the Symbolic Interactionism perspective examines stratification

from a micro level perspective. Symbolic interactionists believe that social

stratification is a system that groups people together, as it causes individuals to

interact with others within their own social class.

Manual Title
MODULE OF INSTRUCTION

Systems of Social Stratification

Sociologists distinguish between two primary social mobility systems,

namely the closed and open systems.

Closed systems impose rigid boundaries between social groups and limit

interactions among members who belong to different social groups or occupy

different levels in the social hierarchy. Closed systems tend to resist change,

particularly in social mobility of its members

Open systems, on the other hand, are based on achievement. This allows

more flexibility in social roles, increased social mobility, and better interaction

among social groups and classes.

Social stratification varies among countries, and they tend to change over

time. The following are some of the systems of social stratification:

The slavery system is an extreme form of social inequality in which some

individuals are owned by others as their property. The slave owner has full control

over the slave – this includes violence and other forms of abuse. A slave is a man

who is regarded as a property of another by law. He is in lower condition as

compared with freeman, and is wholly without rights.

Slave system has existed sporadically in countries across the world, most

notable in the ancient times. The most notable were the Greek and Roman societies

which are based upon slavery, as well as the southern states of USA during the 18th

and 19th centuries.

In the Philippines, the slave system existed as far back as pre-Hispanic

period. Part of the social hierarchy are the slaves or the alipin, which are classified

Manual Title
MODULE OF INSTRUCTION

into two: aliping namamahay (household servants that have their own houses) and

the aliping saguiguilid (slave workers without a house). The alipin can earn their

freedom or gain higher status by means of marriage, buying their freedom using

their earnings, fulfillment of their obligations, or by extraordinary

accomplishments and bravery in battle.

Caste systems are an example of a closed stratification system. It is system

promotes belief in fate, destiny, and the will of a higher spiritual power rather than

the promotion of individual freedom. People born into a caste society are socialized

to accept their social standing.

Estate system, meanwhile, is a stratification system that was associated

with Feudalism. It has three important characteristics: (1) It is legally defined, and

each state had a status with legal rights and duties; (2) It represents a broad division

of labor with definite functions – the nobility are ordained to protect all, while the

clergy are to pray for all, and the commoners to provide food for all; (3) the estates

were all political groups.

Then there is the class system, which is a stratification system that is based

on the ownership of resources and the individual’s occupation or profession.

Unlike the caste system, class systems base social status on achievement rather

than ascription. They are also more open in terms of social mobility. This allows

people to move from one social class to another and achieve higher status in life

through education and employment.

Meritocracy refers to the stratification system that is determined by

personal effort and merit. Here, the social standing of an individual depends on his

or her performance of a social role. High levels of effort are aptly rewarded with

Manual Title
MODULE OF INSTRUCTION

advancement in social standing, while insufficient effort will lead to the loss of

social status.

Social Desirables

There are a variety of factors that affect the stratification of a society.

Among these factors are desirables such as wealth, power, and influence. These

three factors determine the stratification in a society.

Wealth: this is more than the money or income acquired. Wealth also

includes property, from buildings and houses to other forms of assets.

Prestige: the respect or admiration that comes from success, achievement,

rank, or other favorable attributes.

Power: the ability to accomplish something, regardless of the opposition

of others.

Social Inequality

With social stratification, the society is divided into different classes. This

social division reflects an unequal distribution of status, wealth, and power within

society and result in individuals and groups occupying varying positions of

influence and power. This leads to what is now called social inequality.

Social inequality is characterized by unequal opportunities and rewards for

different social classes in a society. Understanding this concept requires

knowledge on social class and stratification.

Sociologists have different perspectives regarding social class. Karl Marx

considered class as an essential characteristic based on the economic structure of

Manual Title
MODULE OF INSTRUCTION

society. Max Weber, on the other hand, defined social stratification through the

concept of status, which he defined as the esteem or social honor given to certain

individuals or groups. Warner, Meeker, and Eels proposed the concept that class

is influenced by cultural factors such as lifestyle and consumption patterns.

Lifestyle choice define the identity of the individual. This serves as a basis for

social prestige apart from occupation and wealth.

Nevertheless, social inequality is not limited to social classes’ access to

social, political, and symbolic capital. There are other aspects of social inequality

which must be addressed as well.

Gender Inequality. Gender refers to the culturally-imposed characteristics

which define masculinity and femininity. This is not to be confused with sex,

which refers to the biological or anatomical differences which distinguish males

from females.

The concept of gender identity refers to how a person identifies himself or

herself as belonging to a particular gender. It is particularly important when it

comes to determining gender roles. However, societies tend to define stratification

through gender identity. It also defines social hierarchy, as well as creates

limitations and divisions among social groups.

Ethnic minorities. Ethnicity is the feeling of affinity or loyalty towards a

particular population, cultural group, or territorial area. This is different from race,

which refers to a group of people who share a common ancestry.

Social inequality affects ethnic minorities in various forms such as racism,

prejudice, and discrimination. Racism is defined as the belief that characteristics

and abilities can be attributed to people simply on the basis of their race and that

Manual Title
MODULE OF INSTRUCTION

some racial groups are superior to others. Prejudice refers to holding of stereotypes

– preconceived views which are often based on faulty generalizations about

members of a race or particular ethnic or other groups. Lastly, discrimination is the

action or behavior of a dominant social group which has a negative impact on other

members of the society which do not belong to that group.

PWDs and Other Minorities. There are certain groups which can be

considered as part of the minority, such as persons with disabilities (PWDs),

elderly, and communities living in remote areas. They also face social inequality,

in the form of discrimination, as well as other social issues such as the lack of

access to resources and opportunities. The PWDs often have problems finding

employment, and more often than not they experience treatment that is different

from the more capable co-workers. Communities living in isolated areas are not

often given the access to basic services from electricity to clean water supply.

There is also religious discrimination, which affects not just the sects but the

institutionalized and mainstream religions as well.

Global Inequality. Social inequality affects societies on a global scale.

The world is defined by differences in wealth and poverty nowadays. The unequal

distribution of wealth, power and prestige on a global basis is called global

stratification. This results to what refer to as global inequality. It causes varying

lifestyles and opportunities among the nations.

There are various theories that explain global inequality. Market-oriented

theories like the modernization theory, for instance, claims that existing cultural

and institutional barriers are the cause of poverty in low-income countries.

Moreover, societies develop in fairly predictable stages though which they become

increasingly complex. Political and social changes, must take place in order for

Manual Title
MODULE OF INSTRUCTION

these societies to develop. Poverty can only be eliminated by means of overcoming

or adjusting cultural values.

Dependency theories, on the other hand, are used to explain the failure of

non-industrialized countries to develop economically in spite of investment from

industrial countries. These theories claim that global poverty is caused by the

exploitation of poor countries by the wealthy ones. There is a cycle of structural

and economic dependency in which low-income countries rely on high-income

countries for infusion of economic capital.

There is also the world-systems theory, which was proposed by Immanuel

Wallerstein. The theory focused on the relationship among the “core”, “peripheral”

and “semi-peripheral” countries in the global economy. The core states are the

geographically-advantaged areas of the world, while the peripheral areas are the

least developed and are continuously exploited by the core for their cheap labor,

raw materials, and agricultural production. Lastly, the semi-peripheral areas are

both exploited by the core and also takes part in the exploitation of peripheral areas

at the same time.

Lastly, the state-centered theories focus on the role of governments in

fostering economic development. It emphasizes the role of the government on civil

society. They are the ones to regulate distribution of resources to protect the

workers.

The global stratification reflects the increasing social inequality

worldwide. This may lead to a growing rift between the rich and the poor.

References:

Manual Title
MODULE OF INSTRUCTION

Sociology Guide. Retrieved from: http://www.sociologyguide.com/social-

stratification/slavery-system.php

Atienza, M.E. et al. (2016). Understanding Culture, Society & Politics for Senior

High School. C&E Publishing Inc.

Social Stratification. Retrieved from: http://study.com/academy/lesson/social-

stratification-factors-wealth-power-prestige.html

Global Issues. Racism. Retrieved from:

http://www.globalissues.org/article/165/racism

Modernization Theory. Retrieved from:

http://sociology.about.com/od/M_Index/g/Modernization-Theory.htm

Elwell, Frank W. Wallerstein’s World-Systems Theory. Retrieved from:

http://www.faculty.rsu.edu/users/f/felwell/www/Theorists/Essays/Wallerstein1

.htm

Manual Title