October 12 class notes.docx

October 12, 2009 Social stratification: inequalities between individuals and groups in society Focus is on the unequal positions occupied by individuals in society Stratification in terms of wealth, property, and access to material goods and cultural products Characteristics shared by stratification systems: The stratification applies to social categories of individuals sharing a common attribute Ranking greatly influences individual?s life chances The stratification of different categories changes very slowly over time Micro-level factors: Prestige and Influence Cultural capital- knowledge and access to important information in society Social capital- networks with others who have influence Individual qualities also influence cultural and social capital Meso-level factors: Access to resources The family and socialization Educational and social status Religious affiliation and social status Political systems and laws, courts, and policing Access to healthcare and stratification system Macro-level factors influencing stratification The economic system Resources Strong educational system Well-paying jobs Productive land Ample supply of water Access to technology Four major types of stratification systems: Slavery Caste Estate Class Slavery system Enslaved persons are owned by other people (chattel) Unstable system since force required to subjugate groups and individuals Caste systems Hereditary and rigid systems of stratification State system System based on property ownership Power monopolized by an elite with total control over resources Class system Class systems differ from other systems Class systems are open and fluid Class positions are in some part achieved Class is economically based Class systems are large-scale and impersonal Class indicators Income: wages and salaries from paid occupations as well as earnings from investment Wealth: all the assets owned by an individual (cash, savings and checking accounts, all investment and real estate) ?it takes money to make money?