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Social Stratification

Notes proponent of this hypothesis also implied that there would be a continuous increase in mobility
rates.
But Goldthorpe, on the basis of empirical findings of Miller, rejected this hypothesis because he
found that there is a lack of convergence between the rates of mobility of industrial societies. Thus,
it is not a industrialization but all other factors as identified by Goldthorpe political and ideological
differences that are important determine the rate of social mobility.
Barriers to Mobility : There are several factors which act as barrier to social mobility. Poverty,
lack of access to education, lack of information of opportunities, traditional upper strata people,
uneven development etc. act as a barrier to social mobility. It is believed that industrialization
provides avenues to upward mobility, but the industrial societies are not as open as it is believe.
The class of origin is still important to gain opportunity. In India some groups are denied equality
of opportunity even today. Though the legal barriers have been removed, social inequalities still
exists and are acting as barrier to mobility.
Marxist Approach to Social Mobility : Marx explained the stratification of society on the basis of
‘class’ division. He believed that where capitalism develops there would be polarization of classes.
Intermediate classes will come down to the lower class groups. Thus, there would be downward
mobility. From the Marxist perspective, the factors causing mobility are those that are basic to the
system of capitalism, and the opportunities for upward mobility are negligible.
Subjective Factors : Subjective factors are those factors which motivate people to be mobile. There
are some factors which forbid mobility but some factors encourages mobility. Usually individuals
aspire for upward mobility. Veblen in his book ‘The Theory of Leisure Class’ revealed that every
stratification system is automatically a source of mobility. Achievement motivation is very important
for mobility of an individual. The process of Sanskritization is also a source of aspiration for
mobility in the caste hierarchy.
Andre Beteille pointed out that the upwardly aspiring groups, once arrived at the higher position
try to retain their position and often they restrict the entry of other people into the higher strata.
In the words of Weber, this idea is social closure. For instance, in caste system, both the process of
inclusion and exclusion, co-exist.
R.K.Merton through the concept of ‘reference group’ tried to explain the motivation for mobility.
When one individual follows the norms and values of the group in which he aspire to be a
member, that is called ‘anticipatory socialization’ this is an instance of mobility motivation.
Social Mobility and Social Changes : A major factor for mobility is social change. The process of
social mobility can bring about change in the system of stratification. When social mobility is
restricted, then also it will help for change because discontent with the existing system led to
change of the system. Some times mobility comes as a result of revolutions, reform movements,
rebellions etc. in such case mobility accompany change. In this regard Marx, Merton, Giddens,
Pareto contributed a lot.
Facilitating Factors of Social Mobility : According to P.A. Sorokin, there are two varieties of
factors affecting social mobility. One is, primary factors that affect mobility in all societies and
other one is secondary factors that are specific to particular societies at particular time. Primary
factors include demographic factor, talent and ability, faulty distribution of individuals in social
positions and most importantly the change in environment. He emphasized that fertility decline
and decline in population are very crucial in affecting the rate of social mobility. People can
achieve mobility with the help of their talent like excellence in sports, arts, music etc. Another
major factor for social mobility is social change. Lipset and industrial societies in comparison to
pre-industrial one. Industrialization encourages urbanization, democratization and mobility. So
occupation multiplies and urban centres grow at a very faster rate. Thus, chances of mobility also
got multiplied. Access to education along with democratization facilitates social mobility in

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