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4. 16 System Stratification

5. 01A eesson Proper for aeek 16

01A Lesson Proper for Week 16

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There are several stratification characteristics; firstly, stratification creates beliefs that reflect
the social structure, which formed the second character. The beliefs access to the society like
institutions and political groups. Lastly, stratification divides people as groups and puts the same
expectation on the group. Unfortunately, the effects of stratification are not so positive. In contrast, it
enhances social inequality.

Systems of Stratification
There are two types of stratification. First is the Closed systems where is there is little to no
change in social position. Here, shifting to different levels or social position is not allowed, including
having social relationships with other levels. Open systems, which are based on achievement, allow
movement and interaction between layers and classes. Different systems reflect, emphasize, and
foster specific cultural values and shape individual beliefs. Stratification systems include class
systems and caste systems, and meritocracy

The Caste System

Caste systems are closed stratification systems in which people can do little or nothing to
change their social standing. A caste system is one in which people are born into their social
standing and will remain their whole lives. People in this system are randomly designated
occupations regardless of their skills or potentials. It is impossible for people to improve or increase
their level
 In the Hindu caste tradition, people were expected to work in their caste occupation and enter
into marriage according to their caste. Accepting this social standing was considered a moral duty.
Cultural values reinforced the system. Caste systems promote beliefs in fate, destiny, and the will of
a higher power, rather than promoting individual freedom as a value. A person who lived in a caste
society was socialized to accept his or her social standing

Though the Indian caste system has been overthrown, there remains some residue that still
exist in the modern society. Here, rural areas usually have the highest chance of retaining the
traditional culture compared to urban. In fact, in India's larger cities, people now have more
opportunities to choose their career paths and marriage partners. As a global center of employment,
corporations have introduced merit-based hiring and employment to the nation

The Class System

A class system is based on both social factors and individual achievement. A class consists of
people who share similar status about factors like wealth, income, education, and occupation. Unlike
caste systems, class systems are open. People are free to gain a different level of education or
employment than their parents. They can also socialize with and marry members of other classes,
which allows people to move from one class to another

In a class system, occupation is not fixed at birth. Though family and other societal models
help guide a person toward a career, personal choice plays a role

In class systems, people can form exogamous marriages, unions of spouses from different
social categories. Marriage in these circumstances is based on love and compatibility rather than on
social standing or economics. Though social conformities still exist that encourage people to choose
partners within their class, people are not as pressured to choose marriage partners based solely on
those elements. Marriage to a partner from the same social background is an endogamous union

The Estate system

It provides another system of stratification that gave much emphasis to birth and wealth, and
possessions. Each estate had a state.

The Slavery system

Slavery had an economic basis. In slavery, every slave had his master to whom he was
subjected. The master's power over the slave was unlimited (Social Stratification: meanings, types,
and characteristics, n.d.).

Meritocracy
Meritocracy is an ideal system based on the belief that social stratification results from
personal effort—or merit—that determine social standing. High levels of effort will lead to a high
social position and vice versa. The concept of meritocracy is ideal—because society has never
existed where social rank was based purely on merit.

Because of the complex structure of societies, processes like socialization, and the realities of
economic systems, social standing is influenced by multiple factors—not merit alone. Inheritance
and pressure to conform to norms, for instance, disrupt the notion of a pure meritocracy. While a
meritocracy has never existed, sociologists see aspects of meritocracies in modern societies when
they study the role of academic and job performance and the systems in place for evaluating and
rewarding achievement in these areas.
Status Consistency
Social stratification systems determine social position based on factors like income, education,
and occupation. Sociologists use the term status consistency to describe the consistency, or lack
thereof, of an individual’s rank across these factors. Caste systems correlate with high-status
consistency, whereas the more flexible class system has lower status consistency

Characteristics of Social Stratification:

Based on the analysis of the different definitions given by eminent scholars, social
stratification may have the following characteristics.

 Social stratification is universal

No society in this world is free from stratification. Modern stratification differs from the
stratification of primitive societies. It is a worldwide phenomenon. According to Sorokin, "all
permanently organized groups are stratified."

 Stratification is social

Indeed, physical qualities do not determine one's superiority and inferiority. Factors like age, sex,
intelligence, and strength often contribute as the basis on which statues are distinguished. But one's
education, property, power, experience, character, personality, etc., are more critical than physical
qualities. Hence, stratification is social by nature.

 It is ancient

The stratification system is ancient. It was present even in the small wondering bonds. In
almost all the ancient civilizations, the differences between the rich and poor, humble and powerful,
existed. During the period of Plato and Kautilya, even emphasis was given to political, social, and
economic inequalities.

 It is in diverse forms

The forms of stratification are not uniform in all societies. In the modern world-class, caste and
estate are the general forms of stratification. In India, a particular type of stratification in the form of
caste is found. The ancient Aryans were divided into four varnas: the Brahmins, Kshatriyas,
Vaishyas, and Sudras. The ancient Greeks were divided into freemen and slaves, and the ancient
Romans were divided into the patricians and the plebians. So, every society, past or present, big or
small, is characterized by diverse forms of social stratification.

 Social stratification is Consequential

Social stratification has two significant consequences: "life chances" and the other is
"lifestyle." A class system affects not only the "life- chances" but also their "lifestyle."