Page 17 - DSOC202_SOCIAL_STRATIFICATION_ENGLISH

Social Stratification

Notes • 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.
• Stratification is social in the sense it does not represent biologically caused inequalities. It is
true that such factors as strength, intelligence, age and sex can often serve as the basis of
strata are distinguished. But such differences by themselves are not sufficient to explain why
some statuses receive more power, property and prestige than others. Biological traits do not
determine social superiority and inferiority until they are socially recognized and give
importance.
• The stratification system is quite old. According to historical and archaeological records,
stratification was present even in the small wandering bands. Age and sex were the main
criteria of stratification then, women and children last was probably the dominant rule of
order. Difference between the rich and poor, powerful and humble, freemen and slaves was
there in almost all the ancient civilizations. Ever since the time of Plato and Kautilya social
philosophers have been deeply concerned with economic, social and political inequalities.
• The stratification system has never been uniform in all the societies. The ancient Roman
society was stratified into two strata-the partricians and the plebians. The ancient Aryan
society into four Varnas the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Sudras, the ancient
Greek society into freemen and slaves, the ancient Chinese society into the mandarins,
merchants, farmers and the soldiers and so on.

1.4 Key–Words

1. Social Evaluation : Status and Prestige.
2. Canvassing : Persuade people to vote for the party.

1.5 Review Questions

1. What do you mean by Stratification? Discuss the concept of social stratifications.
2. Explain the characteristics of social stratification
Answers: Self–Assessment
1. (d) 2. (b) 3. (b) 4. (b) 5. (c)

1.6 Further Readings

1. Sharma, K.L., 2010 : Perspectives on Social Stratification, Rawat Publication.
2. Sharma, K.L., 2010 : Social Stratification & Mobility, Rawat Publication.
3. Hasnain, Nadeem, 2011 : Indian Society and Culture Continuity and Change,
Jawahar Publishers and Distributors.

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