Social stratification is a way in which a society operates based on

hierarchy, by separating groups of people into different classes.

Certain groups have more power, wealth, and influence than other
functioning groups in the society, because the members of the society
praise those who possess more material goods. Social class is directly
connected to social stratification because of how society ranks
different groups in higher or lower classes. The higher class has a
substantial amount of authority over those in the lower social class.
There are four systems of stratification, which include slavery, caste
system, estate system, and class system. Slavery is a two level
system that is comprised of people who are free, and those are not
free. The caste system is a class structure that enables society to
determine what class each individual will belong to. India is the most
known country to have the caste system set. The estate system
divides society into three estates, which are the clergy, the nobility,
and the commoners. This was most common throughout the Middle
Ages. The class system separates people into groups based off of their
class and their wealth. Those with more money and goods have more
power over those who have less or nothing. This system is what is
practiced today in our country. An open stratification system means
that the members of the society can fluctuate in different classes. The
members can transfer up or down in the system, based on their efforts
and achievements. An example of an open system would be the class

system, because the people are frequently changing statuses in that

society. A closed system of stratification means that their roles in
society are set for the rest of their lives. No matter what achievements
or efforts they put in, they will remain in their specific level. A caste
system is a closed system because the members of society are fixed in
their classes that they were born into. Ascribed status means that a
person is assigned a social status when they are born. This means that
their positions cannot be changed or chosen at any point in their lives.
This reflects what the caste system permits, because of how classes
and statuses are forced upon the members of that society. Achieved
status is status that a person can chose or earn, based off of
achievements or merits. Any functioning member of a society that
promotes achieved status can acquire any status of their choosing.
This status structure reflects an open system, which is found in the
class system, because of the individuals ability to choose their class.
By definition, the means of production are the raw materials and
means of labor in which a person needs in order to create a process of
production. This includes the tools, machines, and buildings that are
used. The ownership of the means of production in a socialist society
goes to the public of the society. There is no private ownership or
control over the means of production. Whereas in a capitalist society,
the ownership is privately maintained, and any surplus of the
production is also kept by the owner. The Bourgeoisie is the middle

class in a society, that is based upon its values of materialism. This is

found in the capitalist class, because the societies materials and
wealth are owned by the Bourgeoisie. The proletariat is a class
comprised of workers who are viewed as one working class. The
members in the proletariat working class do not have ownership over
the means of production. They are only given wages and pay for the
labor power they can provide. This capitalist system is what Karl Marx
often criticizes, because the bourgeoisie takes full ownership of the
proletariats labor power. The bourgeoisie leave the labor power to the
lower class, which create a system of exploitation for those in the
proletariat class, because they do not possess ownership for the means
of production. Class consciousness is a persons awareness of their
place in a social class, as well as their ability to understand the class
struggle. Dominant ideology means that the values, attitudes, morals,
and beliefs are implemented to be shared among the people in the
society as a whole, which is used as a means of control over the
people. False consciousness is a way of thinking that prohibits a
person from understanding and realizing the type of social and
economic condition they are in.
Max Weber defines class in three different terms. Class is a
category comprised of men who have a common and specific
component of their life chances, and are represented by economic
interests for goods and income, and are represented under conditions

of commodity or labor market. Status group is defined as a group of

people who are separated by non-economic qualities such as prestige,
honor, ethnicity, race, and religion. An example of a status group is an
estate system, where the members of society are given their class in
which they will live in. A party is defined as organizations that have a
clear goal in a planned method. This type of organization has an
influence over social actions, and therefore, have a part in the sphere
of power. Parties do not operate in traditional societies, such as those
with a large social control. When parties are formed, they become a
rational community that are systematic, and can also be permanent.
Karl Marx supported the complete theory of communism, in that he
advocates class war, property is publicly owned, and members are
given a salary based on their abilities and needs. Max Weber was
influenced by a lot of Marxs ideals, but he disagreed on a few points.
Weber proposed that there were more class divisions than Marx
implied, such as upper class, white-collar workers, petite bourgeoisie,
and working class. Weber also rejected the idea of full communism,
because he thought it would require an ever more powerful level of
social control and bureaucratization. He predicted that this would
create multiple revolutions and uprisings against the government.
Another contrast between Marx and Weber was the theory of
stratification. Weber formed his hierarchy based on not only class, but

also status and power. These are three separate elements of social
separation, but with related establishments of power.
Cultural capitals are the assets that promote social mobility
outside of economic methods. This includes education, dialects and
speech, and ways of dressing and appearances. This is directly related
to class differences, because not every member of certain classes are
able to afford or attend these cultural capitals. In a Marxist society, the
working class is unable to obtain any of these social assets, because
they are working for a living. In a capitalist society, only the wealthy
and prestige can attend schools or afford top of the line clothing,
whereas others with less income and no wealth cannot receive such
benefits. Cultural capital is related to power differences, too. Social
and economic advantages are given to those who have a high prestige
and social recognition. Those with higher prestige can easily apply
themselves to the cultural capitals, but those who are a part of the
lower class have a lot more difficulty applying. This is also related to
material resources, as the wealthier and more prestige have more
access to material good, and the less wealthy and working class has
less access. This pattern also follows in social and cultural resources,
as the upper class has more influence and guidance over the decisions
and beliefs of those in the working class. Cultural capital is also
expressed through other means such as clothing, housing, food, and
sports. Wealthy individuals are capable of possessing anything they

want, and they can express it by purchasing the most expensive

clothes, and owning their own, gigantic house. They also have easy
access to luxurious foods from across the world, and can create a
group and participate in any sporting event. The lower class has to
work long hours for their wages, and by the time they are done paying
bills and necessities, they are unable to afford any luxuries that can
express their cultural capital. These expressions show how much
wealth and prestige an individual has, because of how they can attain
and maintain them, but it also shows how little wealth and prestige an
individual has, because of a lack of social assets.