Social Stratification

Social stratification is the hierarchical ranking of social groups based on unequal levels of wealth, power, and social status. Differentiation is the law of Nature, it is in the case of human society. Human Society is not homogeneous but heterogeneous. No two individuals or societies are exactly alike.

Concepts of Social Stratification

• Men have long dreamed of communism(egalitarian) in society, a society in which all members are equal. But the egalitarian society remains a dream.
• The process of social division on the basis of different castes, classes, ages, genders, occupations, professions, religions, cultures, etc is called social stratification.
• According to sociologists the level of Stratification was simple and narrow in primitive society. That society was stratified on the basis of age, sex, and Capacity of an individual.
• But later, Society was Stratified economically after the Ownership of property, Such as possession of lands by the landlords. Then the concept of social class emerged.

Thus, stratification is simply a process of interaction of differentiation whereby some people come to rank higher than others.
Those are some of the definitions by some renowned sociologists:

• Ogburn and Nimkoff: “The process by which individuals and groups are ranked in a more or less enduring hierarchy of status is known as stratification .”
• Gisbert “social stratification is the division of society into permanent groups of categories linked with each other by the relationship of superiority and subordination”
• Raymond W. Murry “Social stratification is a Horizontal division of society into higher and lower social units”.

Characteristics of Social Stratification:

1. It is Social- Biological traits that do not determine social superiority and inferiority until they are socially recognized and given importance.
For example; the Owner of an industry attains a dominant position not by his physical strength nor by his age, but having the socially defined trait

2. It is Ancient- Stratification was present even in Ancient Civilization.

• Age, sex was the main criterion of stratification.
• similarly, the Difference between Rich and Poor, powerful and humble, Freeman and slaves, etc.

3. It is Universal– It is a worldwide phenomenon, the difference between rich and poor, haves and Haves-not are found everywhere. Even in a non-literate society.
As Sorokin has said, “all permanently organized groups are stratified.”

4. Diverse in Nature– It has never been uniform in all societies. For example;

• In Aryan Society 4 Division exists- Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Sudras. Where
• In Ancient Greek, society divides between Freeman and Slaves.
• In American Society, the stratification was based on racial traits at the same time in Nepal and India Caste system was rooted.

5. Similarly, caste, class, state, etc are the major forms of stratification.

6. The nature of Stratification is differing as per society.

7. It always consists of inequality

8. Social Stratification is both Horizontal and vertical

9. Marxists consider stratification as a result of exploitation but functionalists consider it a common and simple process.

Types of Social Stratification:

• Social Caste
• Social Class
• Ethnics
• Gender

Social Class	Social Caste
Social class is Universal. Found in Every Society.	Caste is not found in all societies.
It is Achieved Status (It may be by birth or later on by his Quality) `	It is Ascribed (membership by Birth)
It is Determined by Property/Wealth	Generally, it is determined by Religion
It is an open system	It is a closed system.
The practice of Untouchability is not there	The practice of Untouchability.
The social class of an individual/family can be change according to their Wealth, income, education, etc.	Due to the  Ability, Quality, wealth and Education Individuals Caste is not possible to Change

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