1. **Social Stratification Defined** 2. **Marx and Weber: Key Contributors** 3. **Dimensions of Social Stratification** 4. **Understanding Bourgeoisie** 5. **Defining Proletariat** 6. **Income ve

### Social Stratification Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals within a society based on factors like wealth, income, race, education, and power. It is a system that structures social inequality and organizes access to resources and opportunities. ### Sociologists' Contributions 1. **Karl Marx**: He analyzed class conflict and the mechanics of capitalism focusing on the bourgeoisie and proletariat. 2. **Max Weber**: He contributed with his multidimensional view on stratification, emphasizing class, status, and power. ### Dimensions of Social Stratification 1. **Class**: Economic standing or wealth. 2. **Status**: Prestige or social honor. 3. **Power**: Ability to influence or control others. ### Key Concepts - **Bourgeoisie**: The capitalist class owning the means of production. - **Proletariat**: Workers or working-class people who sell labor for wages. ### Income vs. Wealth - **Income**: Earnings from work or investments. - **Wealth**: Total assets owned, including savings, properties, and investments. ### Power The ability to influence or control the behavior of others, often tied to authority or political influence. ### Prestige Social respect, admiration, or honor given to individuals or groups based on status or accomplishments. ### Sociological Explanations of Stratification - **Functionalists**: Argue that stratification is necessary for society's stability, helping match talent to societal roles. - **Conflict Theory**: Views stratification as the outcome of conflicts and inequalities between different classes, often benefiting the elite. - **Symbolic Interactionists**: Focuses on how individuals' perceptions and interactions influence stratification. ### False Consciousness A term by Marx referring to the proletariat's misunderstanding of their true class interests due to dominant ideology. ### Social Class A group of people with similar positions in a society's hierarchy, based on wealth, income, education, and occupation. ### Methods of Determining Social Class - **Reputational Method**: Based on community reputation and social standing, often subjective. - **Subjective Method**: Individuals self-identify their social class. - **Objective Method**: Uses measurable criteria like income, education, and occupation to classify social class. ### Bias in Methods The **objective method** is often considered the least biased because it relies on quantifiable data. ### Class Consciousness Awareness and understanding of one's social class and its implications in terms of interests and oppression. ### American Social Classes - **Upper Class**: Wealthy, influential, sometimes divided into: - **Upper-upper class**: "Old money," inherited wealth. - **Lower-upper class**: "New money," self-made wealth. - **Middle Class**: Moderate incomes, focus on education and stability. - **Middle-middle class**: Professionals, teachers, and small business owners. - **Working Class**: Skilled and semi-skilled laborers. - **Working Poor**: Low-paying jobs, struggle to meet basic needs. - **Underclass**: Chronic poverty, often unemployed or do low-wage work. ### Types of Poverty - **Absolute Poverty**: Inability to meet basic life necessities. - **Relative Poverty**: Being poor in relation to the larger population. ### Poverty Measurement in the U.S. Poverty is often measured based on the federal poverty threshold, considering income levels and family size. ### Identifiers of Poverty 1. Lack of employment or underemployment. 2. Low educational attainment. 3. Health issues impacting work ability. 4. Geographic location affecting opportunity access. ### Welfare Reform Aims to reduce dependency on government assistance by promoting employment and self-sufficiency. ### Social Mobility The ability to move between social classes. ### Types of Social Mobility 1. **Horizontal Mobility**: Moving within the same social class. 2. **Vertical Mobility**: Moving up or down between different social classes. 3. **Intergenerational Mobility**: Changes in social status from one generation to the next. ### Caste System A closed social stratification system with rigid class distinctions, often hereditary. ### Exogamy and Endogamy - **Exogamy**: Marrying outside one's social group. - **Endogamy**: Marrying within one's social group. ### Popular Caste System: India 1. **Brahmins**: Priests and scholars. 2. **Kshatriyas**: Warriors and rulers. 3. **Vaishyas**: Merchants and landowners. 4. **Shudras**: Laborers and service providers. ### Open-Class System A society where social mobility is possible, allowing movement between classes based on achievement and merit.