Social Stratification

Past Paper questions

2019 - 3. During the colonial rule, education in the Caribbean was an effective
means of upward social mobility. Using THREE points, discuss the extent to
which you agree with this statement. 30 marks

2016 - 5. “While some men, particularly in the highest social strata, have been
able to maintain their traditional position in the family, educational system and
labour force, the majority are being eclipsed [replaced] by women rising in all
these areas.” Errol Miller, 1991 Discuss the extent to which you agree with this
view taking into consideration gender practices in the Caribbean context. 30
marks

2015 - 2. Examine FOUR factors that promoted social mobility in the

Caribbean. 20 marks

2012 - 5. “Social stratification continues to be a key feature of Caribbean

society.” Using examples to support your answer, discuss the extent to which
you agree with this statement. 30 marks.

Terms to learn

Strata - a socioeconomic level of society comprising persons of the same or

similar status especially with regard to education or culture

Stratify - to divide or arrange into classes, castes, or social strata;  to divide
into a series of graded statuses

Social mobility – the movement of individuals, families, or groups through a

system of social hierarchy or stratification.

Bourgeoisie – term in Marxism referring to the upper class/Capitalist class –

those owning the means of production in society

Proletariat – in Marxist theory, the lower class/working class

Underclass – a social class made up of people who are very poor and have very
little power or chance to improve their lives : the lowest social class
Ascribed (status)– based on criteria given at birth, Cannot be changed

Achieved (status)– based on how hard you work/merit. Status here can be
changed.

Plantocracy – planters/planter class

Intelligentsia – educated, intellectual elite in a society

Working class – Manual labourers/blue collar workers

Caste – social position based on race, colour, ethnicity or as in India based on

lineage, which is the basis of stratifying society. One’s caste cannot be
changed. Once born into a caste, it cannot be changed, hence no social
mobility

Open stratification System – one where there can be social

mobility/movement up or down the ladder

Closed stratification system – one (like slavery and the caste system) where
one’s position cannot be changed.

Please look at the following video on social stratification to help reinforce the
terms and the information below: https://youtu.be/3TzNz1Fg_aU

Social Stratification during slavery

During Slavery :

 Stratification to the greatest extent was based on Race and colour, to

much lesser extent on wealth.
 Closed system
 No social mobility among classes (mobility within class, e.g. if more
wealth is acquired).
 Based on ascribed criteria

Today:

 Stratification to the greatest extent based on education and wealth.

 Open stratification system
 There is social mobility among classes (e.g. if more education is
obtained, high paying job or more wealth is acquired).
 Based on achieved criteria
Stratification and Marxism

According to The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2017

(https://www.britannica.com):

A ‘Classless society’, in Marxism, is the ultimate condition of social

organization, expected to occur when true communism is achieved. According
to Karl Marx (1818–83), the primary function of the state is to repress the
lower classes of society in the interests of the ruling class. However, after the
class struggle has resulted in the victory of the proletariat and the
establishment of a socialist society, there will be no further need for such a
repressive institution; with the disappearance of classes, the state is expected
to “wither away.”