GOBINDGARH PUBLIC COLLEGE

TOPIC- SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

SESSION- 2018-19

SUBMITTED TO- SUBMITTED BY-

PROF. MANDEEP KAUR JASDEEP SINGH
821 B.A. – 1
 SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

MEANING - Social Stratification is a kind of social

differentiation whereby a society groups people into

socioeconomic strata, based upon their occupation and

income , wealth and social status or deprived power.

DEFINATION- Social Stratification refers to the system

by which society ranks categories of the people in

hierarchy for eg÷ In United States, it is perfectly clear that
some groups have greater status, power and wealth than
other groups. These differences are what led to social
stratification.
 SOCIAL IS BASED ON FOUR PRINCIPLES:

1. Social stratification is a trait of society, not

Simply a reflection of individual differences.

2. Social stratification persists over generations

3. Social Stratification is universal ( it happens everyone)

but variable ( it takes different forms across different

societies)

4. Social stratification involves not just inequality

but beliefs as well ( inequality is rooted in a society's

TYPES OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

There are four major types of social stratification

1. CASTE
2. CLASS
3. ESTATE
4. SLAVERY

1. CASTE- Caste is a hereditary endogamus

social group in which a persons rank and its

accompanying rights and obligations are ascribed
on the basis of his birth into a particular group. For
example- Brahmins, Vaishyas and Sudra Caste.
2. 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.

3. ESTATE- Estate system of medieval Europe

provides another system of stratification which gave

much emphasis to birth as well as to wealth
possessions Each estate had a state.
4. SLAVERY- Slavery had economic basis. In

slavery, every slave had his master to whom he

was subjected. The masters power over the slave
was unlimited.
CHARACTERITICS OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

On the basis of the analysis of the different

definitions given by eminent scholars, social
stratification may have the following
chracteristics.

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.

Stratification is social-: It is true that biological

qualities do not determine persons superiority

and inferiority. Factors like age , sex ,

intelligence as well as strenght often contribute

as the basis on which statues are distinguised.

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.
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 rich and poor, humble and

powerful existed. During the period of plato and

kautilya even emphasis was given to political ,

social and economic enequalities

IT IS IN DIVERSE FORMS-: The forms of

social stratification is not uniform in all the

socities. In the modern world class , caste

and estate are the general forms of

stratification. In India a special form of caste

is found.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several different
sociological theories which have
attempted to explain social class stratification
and specifically, social mobility.
Marxism, for example, emphasises.And argues
that mobility
One the other
hand, Functionalism argues that social class
stratification. and that mobility
A third theory which offers yet another view of
social class stratification and
mobility is Weberianism. Max Weber argued
that social class
stratificatio

Sociological theories have shown social class

stratification exists and that
mobility is possible between these classes in
Britain. Evidence suggests a
changing level of absolute and relative mobility
is possible over the years due to
different l
evels of social closure. Sociology will continue
to carry out research
studies to attempt to explain the changing
patterns of class stratification and
social mobility/ social closure in modern
Britain.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
WWW.WIKIPEDIA.COM
WWW.HISTORY.COM
WWW.RESEARCHGATE.NET
WWW.HISTORY.COM