MODULE 5: Lesson 1

Stratification

-social inequality and social ranking, stressing the differences among people.

-an institutional pattern of inequality in which social categories are ranked on the basis of their access to
scarce resources.

Social Stratification

-hierarchical arrangement and establishment of social categories that evolve into a social group together
with their statuses and roles.

-a system whereby people rank and evaluate each other as superior and inferior, unequally reward one
another with wealth, authority, power ang prestige.

 As social structure. Perceived as the differentiation of statuses and social roles into ranked
orders.
 As a social process. Division of society that develop into social groups, which are cooperating,
competing and/or conflicting with one another for social change.
 As a social problem. Bitter feelings of discontent and strong demands for equality or social
justice.

Inequality- unequal distribution of scarce resources suh as wealth, authority, power and prestige.

Basic Principles of Social Stratification:

1. Social stratification is universal in nature.

2. Existence of social stratification system has many consequences for individuals and groups.
3. Social stratification is a characteristic of society.
4. Social stratification persists through generations.
5. Social stratification is supported by patterns of beliefs.

Importance of Social Stratification:

1. An individual will exert great effort in competing with others to attain a status.
2. Enable an individual to adapt to his/her social environment.
3. The standard of living is improved.
4. It can effect economic development in a society.
5. A harmonious and stable society is attained.

Types of Social Stratefication:

1. Caste System. The individual's rank or position is fixed for life on the basis of some ascribed or
inherited characteristics. Mobility from one caste to another is impossible.
 Indian System:

 Brahmins- Priests and scholars

 Kshatriya- Nobles and warriors

 Vaishya- Merchants and farmers

 Sudra- Unskilled laborers

2. Estate System. Like the caste system, it was relatively closed and rigid. Nevertheless, mobility
was possible througj marriage and the enactment of law.
a) Nobility. King, the nobles and the military aristocracy.
b) Clergy. High-ranking religious leaders as well as low-ranking officials of the church.
c) Peasantry. Farmers, laborers and serfs.
3. Open-class System. An individual's class position within the society is determined by his/her
personal effort and ability rather than by factors relating to birth. There is a great opportunity
for social mobility.

Lesson 2

Theoretical Analyses of Stratefication

1. Structural-Functional Analysis

Recognizes that all societies maintain some form of social stratification, and therefore, social
stratification must have important functional consequences.

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore

- Asserts that some degree of social stratification actually serves society. Inequality of
members based on their social classes is 1.) Functional (performs important function), 2.)
Necessary (meets social needs), and 3.) Constructive (useful to all members of society).

- Maintain that societies become more productive as they approach "meritocracy", a system
linking rewards to personal merit.

2. Conflict Perspective

Views inequality as neither important nor advantageous to the welfare of most members of
society.

Views stratification as an unjust system inflicted on society by people with monopoly of power
and wealth to safeguard their own interests, advantages, and power. Stratification is seen to
exploit the many while rewarding the few.
 Karl Marx

Maintained that class conflict is inevitable.

One of the proponents of the conflict theory, claimed that the two major social classes arise
from two basic relationship to the means of production:

1. Owning productive property

2. Laboring for others

Consequences of Social Stratification

1. Stratification affects life chances. The members of a social class have the same life chances of
securing the good things in life such as freedom, a high standard of living, leisure, deference or
whatever things are highly valued in a given society.

2. Stratification affects lifestyle. Since classes differ in their opportunities for education, recreation,
and the like, they differ also in what they learn, how they behave and how they regard the world
about them.

3. Stratification affects prestige. Amount and kind of attention one receives.

Lesson 3

Social Class

- group of people having a similar social rank.

- group of people sharing a similar position or status.

- category of people whi share roughly the same class, status, and power.

-refers to a set of families that share equal or nearly equal prestige according to the criteria of
evaluation in the system of stratification.

- a hierarchical arrangement of social positions of people, reffered to as stratification, which literally

means, "layered". (pag hinati ang stratification, social class na yun. Ganon)

Determinants of Social Class

1. Education. One of the most important factors in determining one's social class.
2. Income. Determines the lifestyle of its members. The higher the income, the higher the class
stratum.
3. Intelligence. Their opinions are solicitedbin case of an impasse on a certain contentious issue.
 4. Occupation. The quality pf education, training and work experience are the determining factors
in one's social class based on occupation.

Social Class as Viewed by Karl Marx

1. Bourgeoisie (Capitalist)
People who own the means of production such as lands, factories, and machinery. Marx
regarded them as parasites because they gain through the labor of others.
2. Proletariat (Workers)
They sell their labor to the bourgeoisie in return for a meager income.

He believed that proletariat should unite against the capitalists to attain equality.

Max Weber's Analysis of Social Class

1. Class. Consists of individuals who have similar economic standing within the society. It is
determined by wealth and is based on economic ranking.
2. Status. Ranking of social prestige and/or honor. It is indicative of the lifestyle of individuals.
3. Power. The chance of people to realize their own will against the resistance of others.

Social Classes in the Philippines

1. Upper Class. This class occupy a high, stable position, and represent approximately three
percent of the total population. Members enjoy astronomical personal income, inherited
wealth, and economic power. They exercise control over corporations and government.
2. Middle Class. Comprise approximately 25 percent of the total population. People within this
class receive modest income and they are mostly middle-level professionals and semi-
professionals.
3. Lower Class. The largest of the social class comprising arount 72 percent of the populace. Most
of them earn low incomes, observe simple living and no savings. Many are underemployed or
unemployed.