Social Stratification

1. Prof.Nagamani.T

2. Introduction
 In all societies people differ from each other on the basis
of their age, sex and personal characteristics. Human
society is not homogeneous but heterogeneous.
 The term social stratification refers to how societies
categorize people based on factors such as wealth, income,
education, family background, and power.
 Social stratification is a relatively fixed, hierarchical
arrangement in society by which groups have different
access to resources, power, and perceived social worth.

3. Meaning
 Social stratification is a particular form of social
inequality.
 All societies arrange their members in terms of
superiority, inferiority and equality.
 Stratification is a process of interaction or
differentiation whereby some people come to rank
higher than others.

4.  In one word, when individuals and groups are ranked,
according to some commonly accepted basis of
valuation in a hierarchy of status levels based upon the
inequality of social positions, social stratification
occurs.
 Social stratification means division of society into
different strata or layers.
 It involves a hierarchy of social groups.
 Members of a particular layer have a common identity.
They have a similar life style.

5. Definition
 Social stratification refers to a society's categorization of
its people into rankings based on factors such as wealth,
income, education, family background, and power.
Someones' place within a system of social stratification is
called their socioeconomic status.

6.  Ogburn and Nimkoff:
‘The process by which individuals and groups are ranked
in more or less enduring hierarchy of status is known
as stratification”
 Lundberg:
“A stratified society is one marked by inequality, by
differences among people that are evaluated by them
as being “lower” and “higher”.

7.  Gisbert:
“Social stratification is the division of society into
permanent groups of categories linked with each other
by the relationship of superiority and subordinations”.
 Williams:
Social Stratification refers to “The ranking of individuals
on a scale of superiority-inferiority-equality, according
to some commonly accepted basis of valuation.

8. Origin of Stratification:
 Regarding the origin of stratification many views have
been given.
(i) According to Davis, social stratification has come into
being due to the functional necessity of the social
system.
(ii) Professor Sorokin attributed social stratification
mainly to inherited difference in environmental
conditions.
(iii) According to Karl Mrax, social factors are
responsible for the emergence of different social strata,
i.e. social stratification.

9. (iv) Gumplowioz and other contended that the origin of
social stratification is to be found in the conquest of
one group by another.
(v) According to Spengler, social stratification is founded
upon scarcity which is created whenever society
differentiates positive in terms of functions and
powers.
(vi) Racial differences accompanied by dissimilarity also
leads to stratification.

10. Types of Social Stratification:
Social stratification is based upon a variety of principles.
So we find different type of stratification.
The major types of stratification are
(i) Caste
(ii) Class
(iii) Estate
(iv) Slavery

11. Caste
- Caste is a hereditary endogamous social group in
which a person’s rank and its accompanying rights and
obligations are ascribed on the basis of his birth into a
particular group. For example-Brahmins, Kshyatryas,
Vaishyas and Sudra Caste.
- Those who are in higher castes are considered to be
more spiritually pure, and those in lower castes —
most notably, the "untouchable" — are said to be
paying remuneration for misbehavior in past lives. In
sociological terms, the belief used to support a system
of stratification is called an ideology, and underlies the
social systems of every culture

12. Class
- Class-Stratification on the basis of class is dominant in
modern society.
- In this, a person’s position depends to a very great extent
upon achievement and his ability to use to advantage the
inborn characteristics and wealth that he may possess.
- Class systems, unlike caste systems, are open. This means
that people can move to a different level of education or
employment status than their parents.
- A combination of personal choice, opportunity, and one's
beginning status in society each play a role.
- Those in class systems can socialize with and marry
members of other classes.

13. Estate
- Estate system of medieval Europe provides another
system of stratification which gave much emphasis to
birth as well as to wealth and possessions.
- Each estate had a state.
- The middle ages, spanning from the 5th to the 16th
centuries
- It is a hypothetical social stratification system in which
one's socioeconomic status is determined by personal
effort and merit.

14. Slavery
- Slavery had economic basis. In slavery, every slave had
his master to whom he was subjected.
- The master’s power over the slave was unlimited.
- Slavery is one of the lowest levels in any stratification
system, as they possess virtually no power or wealth of
their own.
- Slavery is thought to have begun 10,000 years ago, after
agricultural societies developed, as people in these
societies made prisoners of war work on their farm.

15. Characteristics of Social Stratification:
The main characteristics are;
(a) Social stratification is universal:
 There is no society on this world which is free from
stratification. Modern stratification differs from
stratification of primitive societies. It is a worldwide
phenomenon. According to Sorokin “all permanently
organized groups are stratified.”

16. (b) Stratification is social:
 It is true that biological qualities do not determine
one’s superiority and inferiority. Factors like age, sex,
intelligence as well as strength often contribute as the
basis on which statues are distinguished. But one’s
education, property, power, experience, character,
personality etc. are found to be more important than
biological qualities. Hence, stratification is social by
nature.

17. (c) It is ancient:
 Stratification system is very old. It was present even in
the small wondering bonds. In almost all the ancient
civilizations, the differences between the rich and
poor, humble andpowerful existed. During the period
of Plato and Kautilya even emphasis was given to
political, social and economic inequalities.

18. (d) It is in diverse forms:
 The forms of stratification is not uniform in all the
societies. In the modern world class, caste and estate are
the general forms of stratification. In India a special type of
stratification in the form of caste is found. The ancient
Aryas were divided into four varnas: the Brahmins,
Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras. The ancient Greeks were
divided into freemen and slaves and the ancient Romans
were divided into the particians and the plebians. So every
society, past or present, big or small is characterized by
diversed forms of social stratification.

19. (e) Social stratification is Consequential:
 Social stratification has two important consequences
one is “life chances” and the other one is “life style”. A
class system not only affects the “life- chances” of the
individuals but also their “life style”.

20. The Indian Caste System
 The caste system in India is considered to be the classic
example of caste and the world's oldest surviving form of
social stratification at around 3,000 years old.
 Varna is a Sanskrit word that is translated as ‘class’. Varna
is an ancient division with origin in the Vedas (the
oldest texts of Hinduism).
 The caste system was called the varna system in Vedic
society (c. 1100 – c. 500 BCE). The purpose of the varna
system was to distribute responsibilities among the
people.

21. India's caste system classifies Hindus into four varnas
(classes) based on their occupation:
 A Brahmin is a member of the highest caste or varna
and is an incarnation of knowledge.
 The Kshatriyas are the second-highest of the four
varnas representing warriors and aristocracy.
 Vaishyas (business people) are the third class of the
caste system.
 Sudras (laborers) are the lowest of the four classes of
the caste system.

23. Brahmins: Highest Caste in India
 In Hindu scripture, Brahmin originated from the
head of Purush, so they are at the top of the varna
hierarchy.
 Brahmin consist of priests and teachers.
 They have the privilege of interpreting religious
scriptures and sacrificing to gods, the right to enjoy
religious dedication, and the best education.

24.  They were in charge of the teaching of cultural
education and reporting on agricultural seasons and
the interpretation of religious discourse.
 They also had key positions in science, business, and
government.
 Although Brahmins have many privileges, many
activities are forbidden to Brahmins, including making
weapons, butchering animals, making or selling
poisons, trapping wildlife, and other jobs associated
with death.

25.  Brahmins live with strict austerity and voluntary
poverty. They are very strict vegetarians and conform to
many other Hindu beliefs.
 Brahmins comprise a small part of the Indian population
— only about 5%. They are mainly distributed in the
northern states of India like Uttar Pradesh and Andhra
Pradesh, with a lesser number in the southern states
including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.

26. Kshatriyas: Second Highest of the Four Varnas
 Kshatriyas, it is written, come from the arms of
Purush, and they are considered to be the second
highest caste in the varna system or the second social
classes.
 Kshatriyas exercise temporal authority and power
and their main occupations are warriors and rulers.
They have the privilege of collecting various taxes, and
they are in charge of the army.

27.  They are responsible for guarding the Brahmin class.
 Kshatriyas traditionally learn weaponry, warfare,
penance, austerity, administration, moral conduct,
justice, and often start ruling from an early age.

28.  The Kshatriyas had wealth and power and were
permitted material indulgence like eating meat, and
many also enjoyed alcoholic drinks. These
characteristics set them apart from the Brahmins.
 Kshatriyas are allowed to marry a woman of all varnas, but
Kshatriya or Brahmin women are considered the best
option. The Kshatriyas make up around 4% of India's
population and are mainly located in the north of India.

29. Vaishya: Third Highest of the Four Varnas
 Vaishyas are described as commoners and they are the
third highest of the four varnas that were penned as
coming from the thighs of the first man.
 Vaishyas mainly control commercial and
agricultural occupations. They don't have political
privileges, but they become strong economically because
of their close relation to commerce and many become
traders, merchants, landowners, and money-lenders.

30.  Vaishyas support Kshatriyas and Brahmins by
sacrificing, giving gifts, providing food through
agriculture, and money through taxes.
 Vaishyas play an important role in the public sphere,
providing artisans with technical education, but they
are still considered as a lower caste.

31. Sudras: Lowest Caste in India
 Sudras are the lowest rank of the four Hindu castes
and are considered to come from the feet of
Purush.
 They are mainly composed of artisans, laborers, and
high-level servants and craftsmen, including
those who serve meals and cook.
 Sudras are the most populous caste, making up nearly
half of India's population.

32.  As the default varna, many of this caste are a product
of the marriage of an upper caste member or even an
Untouchable and a Sudra.
 Because Sudras are believed to be created from feet,
they face a lot of discrimination from the higher castes
and are not permitted to have the same rights and
privileges as higher castes, like being "twice-born"
(initiation into a Vedic school) and offering certain
sacrifices.

33. The Dalits (“Untouchables”)
 The caste system did not consider the Dalits — the
“untouchables”, people who had no jati classification.
Outside of the caste system, the Untouchables performed
“untouchable” jobs, such as toilet cleaning and garbage
removal, requiring them to be in contact with bodily
fluids! These were considered the ultimate uncivilized
occupations and so were not given a jati.

34. India’s Caste System Today
 Today, the caste system in India has been abolished
by law.
 There is no caste mark on the identity certificates of
Indians.
 After India's independence, the restraint of the caste
system on people was significantly reduced.
 Relationships between castes are more relaxed today.
There is more food sharing between castes and inter-caste
marriages are becoming more common.

35.  Both the Sudra and the untouchables can go to school
and receive an education.
 Many people have become doctors, lawyers, and
professors, changing the destiny of their ancestors,
inter-caste marriages are becoming more common.
Some of the low-castes have gone abroad and made big
achievements in foreign countries.
 There have even been two presidents from the
“untouchables” in India: Narayanan in 1997 and
Ram Nath Kovind in 2017.

36.  In order to take care of the low castes and
untouchables, who have been oppressed for a long
time, the Indian government introduced many policies
of positive discrimination such as quotas in
government, employment, and education for members
of lower castes.
 To apply these policies, local governments classified
thousands of communities and castes.
 Lower castes were given the status of Scheduled
Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST), and the
slightly higher-ranked-but-still-poor were
called Other Backward Classes (OBC).

37.  Although modern India has a positive discrimination
policy, most of the communities that were low in the
caste hierarchy remain low in the social order, even
today.
 And communities that were high in the social hierarchy
still remain high in the social hierarchy.
 Most of the degrading jobs are still done by the Dalits,
while the Brahmins remain at the top of the hierarchy
by being the doctors, engineers, and lawyers of India.

38.  The social hierarchy system has existed in India for
about 3,000 years, and casteism has long been deeply
rooted in the hearts of Indians, so it is hard to change
it in a short time.
 India is still a long way from completely abolishing the
caste system.

39. References
1. Social Stratification: Meaning, Types, and
Characteristics | Sociology (2446 Words)
(yourarticlelibrary.com)
2. Social Stratification: Definition, Types & Examples
(simplysociology.com)
3. Social Stratification | Overview, Theories &
Examples - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com
4. Social Stratification: Types, Characteristics, and
Examples - Opinion Front