Ch 8 - Social Stratification

Question 1

Social Stratification

Answer 1

A system for ranking people into hierarchies. 4 principles:

1. SS is a Trait of Society, not just individual differences.
2. SS carries over from generation to generation.
3. SS is universal, but variable.
4. SS involves beliefs as well as inequality.

Question 2

Closed System / Open System

Answer 2

Closed = Caste System = less social mobility. Based on ascription (birth).

1. Generations of a family in a particular caste will do the same work
2. Arranged marriages: marriage partners are determined by the respective families
3. Everyday life is structured such that there is no ‘mixing’ for classes
4. Its legitimacy is founded on deep cultural norms (beliefs)

Open = Class System = more social mobility

Question 3

Meritocracy

Answer 3

Social stratification based on personal merit

Question 4

Status Consistency

Answer 4

Degree of uniformity in a person’s social standing across all levels of inequality. (Income, access, prestige, etc.)

Caste has high consistency, clear divides. Class has low consistency, muddy divides.

Question 5

Structural Social Mobility

Answer 5

A shift in the social position of large numbers of people due to changes in a society itself rather than individuals

Question 6

Ideology

Answer 6

Cultural beliefs that justify social arrangements, including inequality

(Rich smart, poor lazy -> Meritocracy)

Question 7

Horticultural society

Answer 7

A society whose primary mode of food cultivation is hand tools and small gardens.

Question 8

Agrarian society

Answer 8

Any community whose economy is based on producing and maintaining crops and farmland

Question 9

Structural-Functional Analysis of Social Stratification

Answer 9

Davis and Moore:

Social Stratification benefits society. The greater the functional importance of a position, the more reward we attach to it.

Question 10

Egalitarian

Answer 10

Relating to or believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.

Question 11

Utilitarianism

Answer 11

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that determines right from wrong by focusing on outcomes. It is a form of consequentialism. Utilitarianism holds that the most ethical choice is the one that will produce the greatest good for the greatest number.

Question 12

Social-Conflict Analysis of Social Stratification

Answer 12

Marx and Weber

Social Stratification benefits some while disadvantaging others.

Marx saw capitalists controlling proletarians, causing alienation.

Weber saw 3 types of inequality:
1. Class (Economic)
2. Status (Prestige)
3. Power (Party)

Question 13

Why no Marxist Revolution? (8.2)

Answer 13

1. Fragmentation of Capitalist Class
2. Higher Standard of Living
3. More Worker Organizations
4. Greater Legal Protection

Question 14

Symbolic-Interaction Analysis of Social Stratification

Answer 14

Micro-level analysis of daily interactions. People interact with those of the same social standing. We avoid those of different statuses (Homeless) and the way we dress, the things we do say something about our status.

Key term: Conspicuous Consumption - Buying & Using products for the statement of a social position.

Question 15

Conspicuous Consumption

Answer 15

Buying & Using products for the statement of a social position.

Question 16

Pastoral Society

Answer 16

A pastoral society is a nomadic group of people who travel with a herd of domesticated animals, which they rely on for food.

Question 17

Income

Answer 17

Earnings from work or investments

Question 18

Wealth

Answer 18

Total value of assets and money minus debts

Even more unequal than income

Question 19

Fundamentalism

Answer 19

Fundamentalism is commonly defined as the religious militancy which individuals use to prevent their religious identities eroding. Fundamentalists argue that religious beliefs and ideologies have become increasingly watered down and under threat.

Question 20

Intragenerational Social Mobility

Answer 20

Change in social position during a person’s lifetime

Question 21

Intergenerational Social Mobility

Answer 21

Change in social position relative to ones parents

Question 22

5 Conclusions of social mobility in North America

Answer 22

1. Social mobility in the past century has been high
2. Within a single generation, social mobility is small
3. The long-term trend in social mobility has been upward
4. Since 1970s, social mobility has been uneven
5. The short-term trend in social mobility has been downward

Question 23

Canadian Dream Trends

Answer 23

1. For most, earnings have stalled
2. More jobs offer little income
3. Young people are remaining at home

Question 24

Relative Poverty

Answer 24

Lack of resources in relation to those who have more

Question 25

Absolute Poverty

Answer 25

Lack of resources that is life threatening

Question 26

Feminization of Poverty

Answer 26

Women make up increasing proportion of the poor