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Social Stratification

Notes social stratification with the distributive process in human societies - the process by which scarce
values are distributed as a basic phenomenon.
A look at the literature on social stratification makes it clear that the element of “process” has
become pronounced in the wake of rapid transformation of human society. The terms such as
“embourgeoisiement”, “privatization”, “deproletarianiz ation”, “status incongruence”, “status
crystallization”, “classles sness”, “egalitarianism”, “destratification”, “restratification”,
“globalization”, etc., have added more inputs in the conceptualization of stratification, and it has
also made the task of defining social stratification quite difficult and complex.
Before we discuss the concept of “social mobility”, while summing up the conceptualization of
social stratification, we may again mention that stratification has two forms : (i) a ranked scale or
inequality, and (ii) differential social ordering. The first one, as Dipankar Gupta argues, can be
characterized as hierarchy, and the second one indicates more of horizontal distinctions or
differences. There could be hierarchies of power, status or influence. Biological or linguistic
differences are generally non-hierarchical, whereas differences based on income, wealth, power,
etc., are ranked and they are essentially hierarchical. However, hierarchy and difference are related
to each other, hence, social order and mobility are constantly part of the same reality, that is,
arrangement of social relations in a given society. No system of social stratification is completely
stable, static and closed; and similarly no system is completely dynamic, changing and open. It is
a matter of extent/degree to which a system is closed or open. Social mobility in a given system
of stratification would depend upon its nature and functioning.

1.2 Meaning and the Characteristics of Social Stratification

Differentiation is the law of nature. It is true in the case of human society. Human society is not
homogeneous but heterogeneous. Men differ from one another in many respects. Human beings
are equal as far as their bodily structure is concerned. But the physical appearance of individuals,
their intellectual, moral, philosophical, mental, economic, political and other aspects are different.
No two individuals are exactly alike. Diversity and inequality are inherent in society. Hence,
human society is everywhere stratified.
All societies arrange their members in terms of superiority, inferiority and equality. The vertical
scale of evaluation, this placing of people in layers is called stratification. Those in the top stratum
have more power, privilege and prestige than those below. Thus, stratification is simply a process
of interaction of differentiation whereby some people come to rank higher than others are.
Definition of Social Stratification

According to Ogburn and Nimkoff
“The process by which individuals and groups are ranked in a more or less enduring hierarchy
of status is known as stratification”.
Gisbert says,
“Social stratification is the division of society into permanent groups of categories linked with
each other by the relationship of superiority and sub-ordination”
Melvin M. Tumin defines social stratification and refers to arrangement of any social group or
society into a hierarchy of positions that are unequal with regard to power, property, and social
evolution and of psychic gratification”.
According to Lundberg,
“A stratified society is one marked by inequality by differences among people that are evaluated
by them is being ‘lower’ and ‘higher’.
According to Raymond W. Murry
“Social stratification is a horizontal division of society into ‘higher’ and lower’ social units”.

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