Sociology Case

Sociology Unit V

Assignment 1

Define social stratification. Identify and discuss the three systems of social stratification addressed in the textbook.

Social stratification is the practice of dividing groups of people (not individuals) into layers according to their wealth, prestige and power. Gender is also stratifying.

Slavery, caste and class are the three systems of social stratification discussed in the text.

Slavery is a system in which one group of people is "owned" by another. Doing work, not to be paid, but because they must or they will be physically reprimanded or killed. Historically, slavery was not based solely on race (as was the case in America). People were enslaved for nonpayment of debt, to avoid execution for crimes or as "spoils of war" for the conquering nation. Women were the first people enslaved by warfare as the men of conquered nations were usually killed. The women were raped and enslaved. (173)

The conditions of slavery varied depending on the culture. In some groups slavery was temporary, while in others there was no escape except for death. In Mexico, children of slaves were free while in America they became the property of their parents' owners.

The most interesting passage in this for me was that racism didn't lead to slavery, but rather slavery led to racism. It makes sense that to reconcile your treatment of another person as property you would have to dehumanize them in your own mind. (Much like we view animals in different contexts, horrified at the thought of some cultures eating dogs, but seeing pigs who share the same level of intelligence as nothing more than bacon.)

Caste is a system in which a person's birth determines their worth. It is an ascribed status and cannot be changed. The castes are separated by laws against intermarriage and separate facilities. India is the most famous religious caste system, despite being formally against the law. The US had a caste system as well, based on race. Intermarriage was prohibited and African Americans had to use separate facilities here as well.

Class systems are much more fluid. They allow for (in theory) social mobility. You are born into a class, but through the acquisition of money and power, you can move up the ladder.

Why did Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore feel stratification was beneficial to society? Why did they think it was inevitable to society?

They felt it was inevitable because a society needs all its positions filled, some positions are more important than others, the more important positions should be filled by the more qualified candidates, and to motivate the more qualified people to do those jobs society must offer them great reward. Positions like air traffic controller need better qualified applicants and will pay better than positions like apple picker.

How have elites been able to maintain stratification throughout