PEAC Certified

SELF – LEARNING
MODULE IN
UNDERSTANDING
CULURE, SOCIETY AND
POLITICS
SECOND QUARTER –
MODULE 2

Social and Political

Stratification

ALEX A. DUMANDAN

STUDENT NAME: _______________________________________________________________

 2

MODULE 2- SECOND QUARTER TOPIC: social and political stratification

OVERVIEW:

Hello dear learners! Welcome to this module on Social and Political

Stratification. This module will help you understand Social and Political
Stratification; identify the characteristics of the system of stratification; and examine
the concept, characteristics and forms of stratification systems using sociological
perspectives. The module is self – instructional and allows you to learn in your own
space, at your own pace. So, relax and enjoy learning.
CONTENT STANDARD: Demonstrates understanding of …
social stratification as the ranking of individuals according to wealth, power, and
prestige.
PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Learners should be able…
recognize other forms of economic transaction such as sharing, gift exchange, and
redistribution in his/her own society.
LEARNING COMPETENCY:
Examine the concept, characteristics and forms of stratification systems using sociological
Perspectives.

CONTENT:

Lesson 1: Social and Political

Stratification

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STRATIFICATION

https://www.slideshare.net/happynezzabolongaita/ucsp-social-and-political-stratificationv

Sociologists use the term social stratification to describe the system of social standing. Karl
Maxx looked at it in terms wealth produced in relation to the ownership of means of
production. For example, if you are the owner of the company, you get most of the profits
gained by your company’s operation compared to that of your employees. Wealth may refer
to money, properties, and similar tangible resources.
Max Weber, on the other hand, differentiates them into three: wealth, power, and prestige.
Individual’s social standing can be measured, all at once, based on their relative access to
these three. For example, a college professor may have less power and less wealth, but
he/she enjoys a lot of prestige. A government employee may have less wealth and less
prestige, but he/she may have more power. Political stratification can be related to norms,
 3

values, class structures, status groups, associations, and laws, which structure the relations
between individual.
Bases of Class According to Karl Marx and Max Weber
Karl Marx Max weber

Economic Structure Power Wealth Prestige

Material prosperity, Political or social Material prosperity Widespread

ownership of the authority or respect and
means of control, especially admiration felt for
productions that which is someone due to
exercised by a his/her
government achievements or
quality
4
5
6
7
8
 9

References

Durkheim, Emile. The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life: A Study in Religious Sociology
London: G.Allen & Unwin.1915.

Renard, John. The Handy Religion Answer Book Detroit: Visible Ink Press 2002

Antonio P. Contreras PhD, Arleigh Ross D. Dela Cruz PhD, Dennis S. Erasga, PhD ,Cecile C. Fabrigon,
PhD Cand, Project Director: Ronald B. Mactal, PhD. Understanding Culture, Society, and
Politics: Phoenix Publishing House 2016.