ELEMENTS OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
The elements or features of Social Stratification are as follows:
1. It is Social:
Stratification is social in the sense that it does not represent inequality, which is biologically based. For example, an industry manager attains a dominant position not by physical strength nor by his age but by having socially defined traits. His education, training skills, experience, personality, character, etc., are found to be more important than his biological qualities.
2. It is Ancient:
The stratification system is very old. Stratification was present even in the small wandering bands. Age and sex were the main criteria for stratification. The difference between the rich and poor, powerful and humble, freemen and slaves was in almost all ancient civilizations. Since Plato and Kautilya's time, social philosophers have been deeply concerned with economic, social, and political inequalities.
3. It is in Diverse Forms:
The stratification system has never been uniform in all societies. The ancient Roman society was stratified into two strata- the patricians and the plebians. The ancient Aryan society was divided into four Varnas: the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and the Sudras. The ancient Greek society was full of freemen and slaves, and ancient Chinese society consisted of mandarins, merchants, farmers, soldiers, and so on. Class, caste, and estate seem to be the general forms of stratification found in the modern world. However, the stratification system seems to be much more complex in civilized societies.
4. It has consequences:
Social stratification has consequences such as racial and class discrimination, unjust application of the law, and an increasing income gap between the rich and the poor. It also leads to resentment between social classes.
5. It is Universal.
The stratification system is a worldwide phenomenon. The difference between the rich and the poor or the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ is evident everywhere. Even in non-literate societies, stratification is very prevalent. As Sorokin has said, all permanently organized groups are stratified.
6. Hierarchical:
Social stratification refers to a hierarchical society. Being hierarchical, social stratification is reproduced from generation to generation. If a person belongs to a certain class, his or her generation will continue to belong to the same class. For example, some people will always be regarded as more powerful than others.
It is very important to identify and combat the inequalities that are associated with social stratification.
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