Social_Differentiation.doc

10-25-10 Social Differentiation Social Differentiation Definition: the relative access individuals and groups have to basic material resources, wealth, power, and prestige There are no societies in which all individuals are treated or regarded equally; social differentiation of some kind always exists Differences between societies lie in how differentiation occurs and how persistent it is over time Egalitarian Society No individual or group has more formal or systematic access to resources, power, or prestige than any other Associated with foragers and some horticulturalists Note: This does NOT mean that all people are regarded or treated equally by others Rank Society Institutionalized differences in prestige and symbolic resources Often two-tiered social system based partly on heredity No restrictions on access to basic resources, though access, mediated through kin group Associated with horticultural or pastoral societies whcih can produce a food surplus Conical clan organization: all social relations based on an idiom of hierarchy Hierarchy based on primogeniture: which is basis of ranking kin groups in hereditary elite and commoner ranks People of high rank marry others of high rank, either their first cross-cousins or elites from other villages, maintains distinctions between ranks Stratified Society Formal, long-lasting social and economic inequality between individuals and/or groups Characterized by differences in standard of living, security, prestige, and political power Based on intensive cultivation and/or industrialism Associated with form of political organization called the state Method of stratification and degree of mobility possible over time may vary Ancient Rome Patrician families with seats in the Senate: eligible for high office, kept wealth intact by limiting heirs Ordinary citizens of Rome: could vote and own property but limited access to political power; could be poor or wealthy Non-Roman members of the empire: even more limited access to political power; could be poor or wealthy Slaves: little power but upward mobility possible Social mobility possible but difficult Power and Social Control Power has various dimensions and definitions Dictionary.com definition: the possession of control or command over others Anthropological definitions: Power: the ability to cause others to act based on material motivations; derives from control over resources needed or wanted by others Authority: the ability to cause others to act based on ideology, belief, or desire Political ideology: shared beliefs and values that legitimate the distribution and use of power in a society Politics: how individuals and groups use powers to achieve public goals Political Evolution: changes accumulate gradually over time without significant social upheaval Rebellion: attempt to force a redistribution of resources in a society without changing basic politcal ideology Revolution: attempt to overthrow an existing form of political organization, including political ideology Social Disruption and Law A basic level of social control in all societies that comes from the internalization of shared norms and values Every society has means to deal with non-normative behavior and conflict in both formal and informal means Small, less complex societies often rely on informal means of social control more than formal means Larger, more complex societies often rely more on form meals of social control Informal social control Gossip and rumors Ridicule and shaming Avoidance and shunning Non-cooperation Supernatural sanctions Witchcraft accusations Band Societies Small groups of people related by blood or marriage Membership is flexible; groups may be loosely associated with a foraging territory Egalitarian; minimal role/occupational specialization (except by gender and age) Exogamy, bilateral kinship, trading partners, create, maintain group ties Low population density Warfare uncommon Characteristic of foragers Status mostly achieved Leadership: Leaders are elders, often men and women Status and respect based on charisma, foraging skill, generosity, and spiritual skills Decision-making is by consensus Leadership is informal Social Order Norms maintained primarily by gossip, ridicule, and avoidance Sanctions or resolutions may include: public shaming or physical punishment compensatory fines/actions contests or duels temporary or personal exile death (very rarely) Tribal Societies Larger social groups (a few hundred); members consider themselves descended from the same ancestor Found primarily among pastoralists and horticulturists Emphasize exchange through reciprocity and redistribution Egalitarian: limited role/occupational specialization Organized around unilineal kin groups Warfare common Status primarily achieved Bigman System A Bigman is the most influential man in the tribe Achieves status based on personal characteristics such as skill, wisdom, knowledge, charisma, and ambition Often gains/maintains position and prestige through the redistribution of food Bigmen are often competitive with other tribes or faction leaders Leaders no formal power system Few positions of authority May have leaders for different tasks Leaders often not able to compel obedience but can mediate between parties and persuade others to adopt certain sanctions Informal mechanisms of control primary, but some formal mechanisms of control: policing by factions or military groups