Social Stratification

Contents Introduction - What is Social Stratification? A Brief History Theories of Social Stratification How Social Stratification impacts Society and Social life Social Stratification in India Social Stratification and Law/the Legal System

Introduction
One of the most characteristic features of a human being is his inborn ability to create and exist as a group. Many terms have been given for the symbiotic inter being of human beings such as community and society. It is in this society or social bubble that man lives, thrives and dies. However, from the very beginning of civilisation, man as an individual has been very competitive in his pursuit for a more prosperous life among his society. It is probably somewhere in this pursuit that man has developed a mechanism which allows him arrange individuals into divisions within the society. This forms the basic premise of social stratification. The word stratification is derived from the word strata which is used in geology to explain the rock layers created by natural processes. Societies have become more and more complex, and the hierarchal arrangement of individuals into divisions, castes and social classes has tended to become more prevalent. In most modern societies, there generally exist three major determinants namely Wealth, Occupation and Power which divide society into different layers. These three factors are fundamental in determining a persons social class. 1. Wealth and Income The judgment that money gives prestige is well founded and there exists a general sense of acceptance that Wealth and Income are an important status-conferring factor. The acceptance of Money as a status standard is seen in the tendency to associate income with achievement and therefore it is assumed that a man whose income is high is assumed to have achieved much. 2. Occupation Social status is closely related to the type of work that one does. This is because occupation is an important criterion of status and it is the type of work done which often determines income. 3. Power - The capacity to influence and control other people is an important criterion in conferring status in a society. It is well founded fact that control has prestige value. For instance the status of corporation officials and of union leaders is influenced by their economic power and by

their authority over large groups of people. Therefore Power may be associated with occupational position. Prestige giving power may also be political or governmental. Both the elected official and the political boss are ranked, in part, in terms of their power. It is these factors that broadly divide society into three main layers. The Upper Layer which comprises of few individuals who control the majority of resources and have maximum power. The Middle Class which comprises of individuals who are neither highly powerful or have too much economic prowess but maintain a balance and are ideally the majority of the population and the Lower Class, who are devoid of any power or wealth and have very less standing in society. The three layers are further divided into many sub-layers and classes based on the internal factors prevailing in that particular community and the modern society is said to be divided into six major social classes. The upper-upper class represents an aristocracy of birth and wealth. It is an old-family class whose members can trace lineage and wealth through many generations. The members are old not only to the community but also to the class. Birth can be considered as a crucial factor for its membership. The lower-upper class lives in large, expensive houses in exclusive residential sections. In terms of wealth, the lower-uppers are able to meet the means test but fail to meet the lineage test that is essential for upper-upper class membership. The upper-middle class comprises of a substantial businessmen and professionals, who are solid, highly respectable people but not society. They often serve as leaders in civic affairs, hoping that their good deeds and civic activities will win them acceptance by their social superiors. The lower-middle class, widely called the top of the common-man level, is made up of small businessmen, clerical workers, other lowerlevel white-collar workers, and a few skilled workmen. They are proper and conservative, careful with their money, concerned about respectability, and are forever conscious about what their neighbours think. The upper-lower class tends to shade imperceptivity into the lowermiddle class, being distinguished as poor but honest workers; the upper-lower class is made up of semiskilled workers in factories, service workers and a few tradesmen. Its members live in less desirable section, have lower incomes but are viewed as respectable The lower-lower class is not respectable and looked upon with a bad reputation within the larger community. They are generally devoid of any power or wealth and do the most menial jobs in the society Social Stratification exists on the basis of age, gender. The division based on gender is one the most fundamental features of society. In most societies, the interests pursued, the norms

conformed and the duties accepted are generally different based on gender.

History of social stratification

Social stratification has always been an integral and prevalent part of society. Starting from the earliest of civilizations, there has been the hierarchal division of men into social orders. The early Roman and Egyptian civilisations, which even today are considered to be highly advanced, were highly stratified and hierarchal. It is an important observation that principles of differentiation in social classes was legislated and codified. One can only imagine the extent of stratification in these communities taking cues from the earlier observation. In fact, slavery is a very vivid example of social stratification and it was rampant in both the Egyptian and Roman societies. During the medieval ages, Social stratification became a definitive aspect of society and almost always influenced the course of history. In fact many instances of social change are a consequence of social stratification, the French and the Industrial Revolution being the most vivid examples. Taking into context, one of the most prolific forms of social stratification is caste. It can be observed that caste-like divisions are to be found in the history of most nations be it on the American continent, Africa, Europe or Asia. In Eastern Africa for instance, some agricultural societies were divided between land-owning and landless tribes (or clans) that eventually took on caste-like characteristics. In contrast, Priests and warriors enjoyed special privileges in the 15th century Aztec society of Mexico as did the Samurais (warrior nobles) and priests of medieval Japan. Notions of purity and defilement were also found to be quite similar in Japanese society and members of society who carried out "unclean" tasks were treated as social outcasts in India. Even today, in the so called modern and dynamic American Society where people from societies from all over the world co-exist, there remain divisions in society on some scale or the other. One can never deny the fact that no matter how ever advanced a society might be there will remain some kind of arrangement of members in society based broadly on the above discussed factors.

Theories of Social Stratification

Ever since man has created division in society, there has also been this constant stream of thought as to why social stratification exists. Many social thinkers and theorists have propounded and criticised various theories on social stratification, how and why it was developed and what intends to achieve. However, there are some fundamental theories which need to be understood when studying social stratification.

The main proponents of this theory were Sorokin and Mac Iver The Functionalist Theory of Stratification ; This theory argues that stratification in society is beneficial and for the society to move ahead, it must remain motivated. The theory bases on three facts to justify its statement. 1. That duties associated with the various statuses are not equally pleasant to all humans, 2. Some duties are not as important for social survival 3. All social duties are not in need of the same abilities and talents These three facts point out the need for society to remain motivated and that division in society helps it in moving forward. The Conflict Theory; The conflict theory of Social Inequality was propounded by Karl Marx. He maintained that stratification exists because individuals and groups who have the power derive benefit from it to dominate and exploit others. He contended that the capitalist drive to realize surplus value is the foundation of modern class struggle.
*A Synthesis of Perspectives. Both functionalist and conflict theories have merit, but each is better than the other in answering different questions. A number of sociologists, including Gerhard E. Lenski, have looked for ways of integrating the two perspectives.

How Social Stratification Impacts Social Life

Stratification in the society represents institutionalized inequality in the distribution of social rewards and burdens. It has become one of the pillars of society and has had a major influence on the social life of man. It can be said that social stratification is one of the most influential factors which has shaped the modern society. Every development in society has been overshadowed by stratification in one form or the other. Even in todays so called progressive societies, divisions among its members makes an impact on their social lives. Everything from the government to basic services is influenced at some point on some scale by social stratification. However, as illustrated countless times over the course of history, social stratification has had a negative influence over both individuals and society as a whole. It has acted retardant in the development of society and there are numerous examples of communities and individuals being persecuted just because they belonged to lower strata of society. Both time and precious resource in the form of human potential have been laid to waste and the society in many instances over the course of history has stepped back rather than progressing forward. Stratification has become a part of day to day life and even the simplest of tasks are often riddled with complications caused by the complex divisions in the community.

Racism, Regionalism, Sexism, and discrimination on the basis of caste, ethnicity, or language are all intimately connected to the age old divides created by man. Each of these inequalities has caused a great deal of damage to society and the belief that stratification had been created to simplify the duties of man as a social being have been over-ridden and lost to time. Almost all the issues faced by the world today are in some way connected to the various manifestations of social stratification. However, with the tremendous advancements in sciences both social and natural in the past few decades, the world is now better informed and more open minded. Advances have been made in informing people of the various issues caused by social stratification and many such inequalities which existed a few decades ago are now redundant. The world has literally become smaller and this has resulted in the broadening of many closed societies. In purely anthropological terms, the many tribes in the various parts of the world have started to breach sociological and geographical borders and have begun to intermix with other tribes to create more heterogeneous communities. The society today is a lot more logical and has tended to be a lot more critical against forms of social stratification. It has to a great extent realised the growth retardant properties of stratification and is moving in a positive direction to counter and reduce its effects.

Social Stratification in India

There are few other aspects in Indian history which stir up more controversy than the history of Indias social relations. Caste divisions, religious obscurantism, and practices like dowry and sati among other social practices are all distinctive evidence of India's convoluted social structure. In fact, the sheer magnitude and intensity of the effect of social stratification has literally come to define the Indian society. India as a modern state remains cohesive only because of its political boundaries because within itself exist countless distinct communities with their own distinctive traits. The History of social stratification is as probably as old as Indian history itself. Social stratification in the form of gender and more importantly caste distinctions are deeply rooted into the Indian society. The Manusmriti, which is considered to be an age old authority on Hindu laws and customs, provides a formal sanction to social inequities. Most divisions in the Indian social system were set in stone many centuries ago during the rule of the kings. For Instance, the broad separation of the Indian caste system into five varnas was laid down centuries ago. However, it is to be noted that in spite of having many fundamental aspects established for many centuries, the Indian social system has undergone many changes and the influence of the numerous cultures which have seeped into Indian society is highly visible.

The advent of the Islamic invasions and the subsequent control over India by Muslim kings brought many changes in the social structure of the Indian society. The invaders from the west while bringing some sort of unified structure to India also brought on a more rigid social body. Many Islamic customs were introduced and for the most part of the medieval ages, basic aspects of governance such as tax collection were done according to Islamic laws. The influence of the Muslim rule in India is undeniable and many customs are now part of the basic structure of other religions. The Influx of the Christian missionaries in the later stages and the other religions or schools of thought which have originated in India have also had a profound effect on the stratification of the Indian society. It can be said that during the colonial period, it was this complex stratified society which served the interests of the British. Social divisions and inequities were a convenient tool of the colonizers and they took advantage of India's social ills with contemptuous cynicism to exaggerate their own so called democratic character. Even today, after being in the centre of scientific and economic development, the Indian society is still riddled with social evils caused by social stratification. One can never completely explain the social structure of India to the fullest. However, its also the greatness of the Indian society as a whole to have so peacefully absorbed and survived the various cultures and influences that have crossed it. The dynamism of the Indian society has helped it withstand many invasions from within and outside and its probably the same diversity that has given the Indian society its distinctive character. Its true that many social ills have arisen and exist from social stratification but it is also true that many other social issues have been overcome over the course of history.

Social Stratification and the Legal System

The Legal system is perhaps one of the closest and most important links between society and the governing body. The main purpose of the legal system is to understand and attend to the grievances of the members of society. The legal system takes the role of the problem solver and for it to function efficiently it must understand the various factors and components which influence and make up the fabric of society. Without a sound understanding of society the legal system is nothing more than a body of redundant rules and laws which serve no purpose. In conclusion, one can never completely understand and define social stratification. It is too broad and complex to fully understand its origin and functions. Social stratification is embedded in the core of society and it never do away with divisions in society. A balance has to be maintained to keep relations between communities and individuals healthy and help the society move ahead.

REFERENCES
Michael Hughes, Virginia State University C.N Shankar Rau, Sociology History of Social Relations in India, South Asian history archives. Social Theory and Social Structure by Robert Merton