Page 73 - DSOC202_SOCIAL_STRATIFICATION_ENGLISH

Social Stratification

Notes for the survival of mankind. As such, stratification becomes an inevitable phenomenon of
social life.
• Davis and Moore thus show the relationship between stratification and the rest of the social
order. The assumption, as explained earlier, is that no society is “classless” or unstratified,
hence universal necessity of social stratification. Another point is that roughly there is uniform
distribution of prestige in every society. However, there are great differences in the degree
and kind of stratification. We need to study the varieties of social inequality and the variable
factors that give rise to them.
• ‘’If the rights and prerequisites of different positions in a society must be unequal, then the
society must be stratified, because that is precisely what stratification means. Social inequality
is thus an unconsciously evolved device by which societies insure that the most important
positions are conscientiously filled by the most qualified persons. Hence, every society, no
matter how simple or complex, must differentiate persons in terms of both prestige and
esteem, and must therefore possess a certain amount of institutionalized inequality.”
• The particular persons, who guide such a religious system, enjoy greater rewards than the
ordinary members. The highest, religious functionaries enjoy special rewards and privileges.
Such persons are keepers of sacred tradition, they are skilled performers of rituals and
interpreters of lore and myth. They are God’s representatives, hence enjoy sacredness.
• In modern societies, priesthood tends to loose status because it does not stand that test of
scientific validation. Brahmin as a priest is loosing his status in Indian society due to socio-
political awakening and scientific thinking among the people, particularly those who were
at the receiving end of the Brahmin-dominated Indian society. But, no society has become
completely secularized, including India. Transcendentalism and supernaturalism persist partly
for integration of the ultimate values, and partly for emotional adjustments in situations of
crises caused by natural calamities, chronic illnesses, death, etc.
• The opportunity for acquisition of knowledge and skill/training may inhere as a sort of
property right in certain families and classes, given them power and prestige in consequence.
Oversupply of trained manpower may create unemployment.
• The degree of specialization affects the fineness and multiplicity of the gradations in power
and prestige. A particular function is emphasized in specific terms in relation to other
functions. The amount of specialization influences the bases of selection. The polar types are :
specialized and unspecialized.
• The enhancement of mobility, a decline of stratum solidarity, and a change of functional
emphasis characterize the stage of cultural development of a society. Free trade relations or
cultural diffusion, warfare, etc., explain the situation with respect to other societies. A small
size of the society restricts specialization, differentiation and mobility.
• 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.

4.6 Key–Words

1. Bourgeoisie : Means of production
2. Proletariat : Workers

68 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY