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Unit 2: Basic Concepts Relating to Stratification

features of urban poverty. In our context, rural-urban nexus persists to a considerably extent, Notes
hence the urban poor, who have migrated form villages, do not suffer from isolation and
uprootedness.
Lastly, the poor - rural or urban - are not a monolith. They are a differentiated lot, working as
manual and construction workers, masons, agricultural labourers, artisans in tiny industries, and
as domestic servants, etc. There are some who are working in formal and organized sectors of our
economy. The poor also come from different castes, communities, regions and religions. Access to
jobs and opportunities and their own preferences are influenced by the social-cultural background
of both rural and urban poor.
In general, incidence of poverty, both from the points of income and capability, has come down.
Various development programmes, employment schemes, plans for slum clearance, means of
transport and communication, etc., have contributed to reduction in social inequality and poverty.

Self-Assessment
Choose the correct options
1. The Slogan “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity given in
(a) 1789 (b) 1785 (c) 1855 (d) 1775
2. The American Revolution of ............... boosted up the idea and practice of equality by
emphasizing upon universalistic social participation.
(a) 1765 (b) 1775 (c) 1789 (d) 1791
3. The framework regulates excessive accumulations of property and wealth and equal
opportunities of ............... for all.
(a) Job (b) Education (c) Both a and b (d) None of these
4. The author of Homo Hierarchicus is
(a) Wilbert Moore (b) Davis (c) Dumont (d) None of these
5. The theory “Facts Against Theory” was given by
(a) Dumont (b) Gupta (c) Desai (d) Davis

2.4 Summary

• The concepts of “equality” and “inequality” are basic to modern social sciences and the
capitalist system. Politically speaking, equality may be a genuine expression, but economically,
differential access to societal resources seems to be a stark reality. Such an inequality is
rationalized and justified as an essential and inevitable phenomenon. Dichotomy between
equality and inequality is quite obvious in almost all walks of life, however, the two are not
absolute.
• When privileges based on status and birth decline, equality and citizenship flourish. However,
genuine equality can be achieved only if capitalistic institutions such as the market, private
property, family inheritance and class system are mitigated. Revival of individualism,
competition and achievement as dominant values should normally encourage equality in
life, but in effect, it does not happen. No society can achieve equality among its citizens
without the state support and welfare measures for the weak and poor.
• Equality undermines traditional distinctions of social status and hierarchy. The principle of
equality also obliterates individual differences and liberties. True equality would not coexist
with caste-based hierarchy and feudalism. No ascriptive differences or birth-based
considerations would be allowed to determine opportunities and accesses in real life. Such a
principle and pattern of equality could emerge through revolutionary movements and

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