Chapter 13

Social Inequality and Stratification

Chapter Outline Systems of Equality and Inequality Castes in Traditional India Classes in Industrial Societies: The

United States Maintaining Inequality Theories of Inequality

Inequality The extent to which culturally valued

material and social rewards are allocated disproportionately to individuals, families, and other groups.

Basic Types of Inequality Egalitarian - few differences in the

rewards received by families or other kinds of kin groups within a society.

Ranked - limited number of high-ranking positions or titles.

Stratified - major differences in access to rewards between families or kin groups. 

Egalitarian Societies Example: mobile foragers Frequent seasonal movements make it

difficult to transport possessions. Reciprocal sharing prevents individuals

from becoming wealthier than their band mates.

Families have the right to visit and exploit the resources of many areas. 

Ranked Societies Example: Tikopia Tikopia's 1,200 persons were divided into

four patrilineal clans, each with it's own chief.

Each clan was divided into patrilineages. The chief and nobility of each clan had

little more wealth than any one else and no power over land or ocean resources.

Stratified Societies Marked inequalities in access to wealth,

power and prestige. Inequality is based on unequal access to

resources such as the land and tools people need to make their living.

Unequal access to rewards has a strong tendency to be heritable throughout the generations.

Class and Caste Class - System of stratification in which

membership in a stratum can be altered and intermarriage between strata is allowed.

Caste - Stratification system in which membership in a status is hereditary, strata are endogamous, and contact or relations between members of different strata are governed by laws, norms or prohibitions.

Castes in Traditional India Brahmins (priests and scholars) Kshatriyas (nobles and warriors) Vaishas (merchants and artisans) Shudras (farmers, craftspeople and

laborers) Untouchables

Wealth As the Basis of Class Ranking in America Wealth is more measurable than other

indications of class membership. Wealth is the single biggest indication of

benefits citizens are receiving.

Wealth As the Basis of Class Ranking in America Extremely high wealth is correlated with

ownership of productive resources. Wealth determines people’s access to

political power.

Distribution of Household Income

in the United States, 2003

Percentage of Income Earned ByAmount Earned, 2002

(nearest thousand)

Poorest fifth 3.4 >$18,000

Second fifth 8.7 $18,000-34,000

Third fifth 14.8 $34,000-53,000

Fourth fifth 23.4 $53,000-84,000

Richest fifth 49.8 Over $84,000

Top 5% (2002) 21.9 Over $150,000

Maintaining Inequality - Theories The elite use wealth and power to

organize armed forces stronger than that of the opposition.

Ideologies that justify the status quo of inequality.

Ideology Ideas and beliefs that legitimize and

reinforce inequalities in stratified societies.

Secular ideology An ideology that does not rely on the

will of supernatural powers but justifies inequality on the basis of its society wide benefits.

Theories of Inequality Functionalist

Societies offer unequal rewards to individuals with the scarcest talents.

Conflict Inequality is based on control over

productive resources.

Quick Quiz

1. An egalitarian society:

a) refers to the fact that all men are created equal

b) refers to few differences in access to rewards between families and/or kin groups

c) means that females and males receive equal or nearly equal rewards

d) all of the above

Answer: b

An egalitarian society refers to few differences in access to rewards between families and/or kin groups.

2. The major difference between class and caste is that the latter:

a) are endogamous groups

b) are theoretically hereditary

c) prevent intercaste contact

d) all of the above

Answer: d

The major difference between class and caste is that castes are endogamous groups, are theoretically hereditary, and prevent intercaste contact.

3. In the U.S., the most widely accepted approach to stratification uses the concept of:

a) economic class

b) status groups

c) religion

d) occupational prestige

Answer: a

In the U.S., the most widely accepted approach to stratification uses the concept of economic class.