Social stratification

Social stratification is a sociological term for the hierarchical arrangement of social classes, castes, and strata within a society. While these hierarchies are not universal to all societies, they are the norm among state-level cultures (as distinguished from hunter-gatherers or other social arrangements).

Related Topics:
Sociological - Hierarchical - Social class - Caste - Strata - Society - State-level culture - Hunter-gatherer

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There are four main principles related to social stratification:

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• Stratification is a trait of the society, not the individual. No one person creates stratification even though it shapes all of us.
• Social stratification persists through generations. In most stratified societies, children will always belong to the same class, caste or social strata as their parents. However, in western societies this has started to change due to the introduction of more social mobility.
• Stratification is extremely variable in how it orders people. Most cultures place at least some emphasis on economic standing (wealth), but some consider religious or social standing to be more important.
• Stratification is instrumental in the belief-forming process. Stratification not only places some people above others, it provides legitimacy for the claim.
 
Social stratification: Critical overview ►