Page 69 - DSOC202_SOCIAL_STRATIFICATION_ENGLISH

Social Stratification

Notes is rewarded; deviance is penalized. Thus, stratification lies in certain features of all human societies
which are necessary to them. The authority structure of the society sustains its system of norms
and sanctions. The structural-functional theory of stratification does not take note of the crucial
issue of historical reality of the society and its existence as observed by Dahrendorf.
However, the structural-functional theory is particularly useful in understanding the present
ongoing social systems. The parts can be related to the whole, and one part to another. A comparison
of parts with each other and with the whole can be made. Thus, the structural-functional theory,
besides its insistence on universality of functional roles and importance of differential positions,
has contributed to a comprehensive and deeper understanding of social inequality.
Impact on Indian Studies

Most of the studies on the caste system were conducted from the functionalist perspective in the
first half of the 20th century, and even after this, in the decades of sixties and seventies. From H.H.
Risley to J.H. Hutton, and then to G.S. Ghurye, M.N. Srinivas, Louis Dumont – all enumerated
positive functions of the caste system by praising its organic character, jajmani system, intercaste
relations, intracaste solidarity, etc. The functional ethos of “integration” overwhelmed most of the
scholars of this period. Congruence between caste, class and power was emphasized. Division of
labour among various castes was considered desirable. Intracaste and intercaste relations were
seen as positive bases of Indian society. In all these studies, “caste model” was accepted without
an iota of doubt. The British proclaimed caste as a useful institution for Hindus in particular. Even
some of our scholars claimed secular credentials of the caste system, and considered it “the
democratic incarnation”.
Yogendra Singh observes that the basic premises of structural-functional studies of social
stratification have implied a systematic teleology based on the Brahminic or “hierarchical” model
of caste society, harmony or consensus. “Historicity” was casuality in the structural-functional
approach to the study of caste. However, the structural-functional approach showed two tendencies
in the 1970s : (1) deeper substantive and theoretical concerns in respect of processes of change, and
(2) increased diagnostic orientation.
Self-Assessment

Choose the correct options
1. Marx was born on
(a) May 5,1818 (b) May 5, 1819 (c) May 5, 1895 (d) None of these
2. Marx became the Editor of Paper in
(a) 1842 (b) 1840 (c) 1853 (d) 1845
3. The Communist Manifesto’ was written by
(a) Talcott Parsons (b) Davis Moore (c) Marx (d) None of these
4. Which two class referred by Marx?

4.5 Summary

• Class and occupations are closely intertwined and social class has the style of life as an
important aspect. Occupation is an important aspect of membership of a class. The style of
life aspect of occupation is noted as a significant phenomenon in all societies. Class stabilizes
life chances — for the recruitment process and for the inner structure of the class.
• The structural-functional approach to social stratification has been quite popular and logically
acceptable, particularly among American sociologists. Talcott Parsons, K. Davis and W. Moore
are its main exponents.

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