Social Stratification And Pluralism

985 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Social stratification of modern societies

Social Stratification has a stronger based argument in its description of contemporary Caribbean Social life than Pluralism, however can both be used to analyze aspects of all societies to varying degrees. They are not mutually exclusive, both consensus and dissensus, cohesion and conflict, are present in varying degrees in all societies (van den Berghe 1963; Lenski 1966; Williams 1966; Mitchell 1970). Pluralism, according to Furnival is where different ethnic groups in a society remain separate and distinct except for when they converge or meet in the market place. The market place lacks the distinctive characteristics required for the organic solidarity Durkheim had envisioned, instead involving brutal conflict and exploitation. The norms, …show more content…

In other words, from a perspective that considers society as something like an organism, the theory argued that this organism has needs that must be met if it is to remain healthy. Among these needs is for the most important positions or jobs in the society to be staffed by the most qualified and competent people.~Social stratification is considered a mechanism that ensures that the need is met. looking at Talcott Parsons who wrote "central for the purposes of this discussion is the differential evaluation in the moral sense of individuals as units." (Parsons 1964:70), meaning that status or honor is the most important dimension of social stratification. In other words, members of society are evaluated and ranked based on how well they compare to the dominant values of the society they reside in, resulting in a social hierarchy. Parsons recognized wealth and power differences, of course, but for him these are by definition secondary. Writing of wealth, Parsons (1964:83) stated, "In spite of much opinion to the contrary, it is not a primary criterion, seen in terms of the common value system. . . . its primary significance is a symbol of

Show More
Related

  • Social Hierarchy in Under the Lion’s Paw by Halim Garland

    919 Words  | 2 Pages

    The social hierarchy is something that is hard to escape wherever you are, but our society has made it almost impossible to ignore no matter how old you are or how good of a family you come from. In Hamlin Garland’s short story, “Under the Lion’s Paw,” there is a slew of social hierarchy and power for wealthiest man in the story; while the poor man is just looked at as nothing. This happens in our society everyday and it can hurt the people under ridicule so much, surprisingly nothing is ever done to fix it. Consequently letting the predicament continue to get worse. Furthermore, shouldn’t social hierarchy be based on more than just the amount of money you make? It is preposterous to not consider who that person is in society; like what they do to better our community, how they carry themselves and treat other people, and the history of their families. If we continue to base the worth or rank of the people in our world, we will continue to pass up people that could do so much for our world, but are never given a fair chance because of how we rank usefulness in this world.

    Read More

  • Social Stratification Analysis Paper

    614 Words  | 2 Pages

    Stratification systems, categorized people by class, gender, ethnicity, wealth/income. When people are categorized, start looking at different systems within the social system or social mobility. “The four main systems of stratification have been slavery, caste, estate, and class. Each of these systems allows greater or less flexibility in terms of social mobility. Social mobility is the ability to move up or down within a social stratification hierarchy” (Larkin, 2015). Slavery is a social status began with social norms allowing people to own others. The slaves had no wealth or power while under this social status. Caste systems are all aspects of social status are assigned at births and held forever,

    Read More

  • Wealth of the United States

    1002 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of these groups, the functionalists, view that the uneven distribution of wealth is due to the fact that the cream rises to the top and the people who have money and prestigious positions are the ones who are capable of getting the job done. Functionalists see that there are 3 things that are intertwined with each other; wealth, power, and prestige. These three things are rewards for people who are of good character, eg: people with advanced knowledge, hard workers, and people who can take on responsibility. This whole perspective is more merit based than anything and tells people in the society that they get w...

    Read More

  • Socioeconomic Stratification through Davis and Moore's Functional Theory

    884 Words  | 2 Pages

    Today we classify people into groups based on their shared socio economic conditions, or interpersonal set of inequalities. When people are classified into these groups, greater status, power or certain privileges are granted to some and not to others. This is known as social stratification. This concept illustrates the advantages and disadvantages that one will acquire; depending on how qualified an individual is, in order to meet the needs of society. Although, Davis and Moore’s theory demonstrates how social stratification and inequality are positively functional and therefore necessary, it is relevantly important because it encourages people to take on the more complicated and important tasks, when basic rewards are given to the most skillful and qualified individuals.

    Read More

  • Cultural And Social, Social And Cultural Identity In The Caribbean

    833 Words  | 2 Pages

    The racial and ethnic makeup of the Caribbean people is unstable. Meaning that new immigrants from Asia and Latin America have added a large measure of cultural and phenotypic diversity to the Caribbean population. Moreover, the boundaries between racial and ethnic groups are becoming blurred by high rates of intermarriage and the growing number of persons with mixed ancestry (Lee and Bean, 2004). Ethnic and racial succession, fostered particularly by the plantation system, has produced some societies whose ethnic groupings are also largely distinct physically and whose behaviors may differ along ethnic, as well as class

    Read More

  • Theories Of Social Stratification

    727 Words  | 2 Pages

    Define social stratification and then explain modern theories of stratification in the U.S. using functional theory (Davis and Moore). “Social stratification is a system in which groups of people are divided into layers according to their relative property, power, and prestige. It is important to emphasize that social stratification does not refer to individuals. It is a way of ranking large groups of people into a hierarchy according to their relative privileges.” Stratification is worldwide, and every society stratifies its members only difference is that some societies have greater inequality than others, the main point here to point out is that it is universal. Just as important is the fact that in every society around the globe gender is a basis for stratifying people. Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moor explained that stratification exist through a functionalist point of view stating that stratification is needed, and gave four main points. First point is that in order for society to function, all positions must be filled. Naturally it would follow that some positions are more important than others. Third point made is that more important positions must be filled by qualified people. Last point is that to motivate the more qualified people to fill these positions, they must offer greater rewards.

    Read More

  • Global Stratification: Karl Marx

    981 Words  | 2 Pages

    Social stratification is an acceptable form of patterned social inequality. Class based systems of stratification are the most common today. The elements of social class include income, prestige, occupation, and educational achievement. Class systems are open, and because the c...

    Read More

  • Social Stratification: A Social Stratification System

    1107 Words  | 3 Pages

    Social Stratification, also known as stratification, is an organization system for a society, in which individuals are placed and ranked, also called their social position within society. In action, social stratification “places a grid over a society” (Larkin). In definition, “Social stratification is a social system of inequality that takes into account the differences among individual members of the society and ranks individuals, thus creating a social hierarchy” (Larkin). The functioning aspect of stratification is to fill jobs that a society finds necessary and beneficial to its existence. The four main stratification systems are slavery, caste, estate, and class. Max Weber, who is recognized by many sociologists around the world for his

    Read More

  • Inequalities, Sociologists Speak Of Social Stratification

    3148 Words  | 7 Pages

    Inequalities exist in all types of human society. Even in the simplest cultures where variations in wealth or property are non-existent, there are inequalities between individuals, men and women, the young and the old. A person may have a higher status than others because of a particular prowness at hunting, for instance, or because he or she is believed to have special access to the ancestral spirits. To describe inequalities, sociologists speak of Social Stratification. Social Stratification lies at the core of society and of the discipline of sociology. Social inequality is a fundamental aspect of virtually all-social processes and a person's position in the stratification system is the most consistent predictor of his/her behaviour, attitudes, and life chances. "Social Stratification is a characteristic of society, not simply a reflection of individual differences." Social Stratification persists over generations. Social Stratification is universal but not variable. It involves not only inequality but also beliefs. 'It is useful to think of stratification as rather like the geological layering of rock in the earth's surface,' Societies can be seen as consisting of 'strata' in a hierarchy, with the more favoured at the top and the less privileged at the bottom." If we look back at the year 1912, when the Titanic sank, we can make a connection with social inequality for the way people lived back then. When we watched the blockbuster hit in 1997, we were shown how much of an impact that social inequality had on the lower class passengers. Women and children had the highest survival rate. Those who held a first class ticket, more than 60% of those survived because their cabins were on the upper decks. Only 1/3 of the third cla...

    Read More

  • Social Democracy - Pluralism

    502 Words  | 2 Pages

    Social Democracy Pluralism By definition - A system of government that allows and encourages public participation, particularly through the activities of pressure groups seeking to influence the government. Traditional socialism has always been associated with an analysis of society that class differences are crucial, in particular the middle classes - those who have gained to the working classes expense - summarised, the two classes interests are in conflict. Social democrats believe society is far more complex than a class interest struggle, and this concept becomes outdated in a pluralist society - a community of individuals and varied interests. Traditional Socialism is arguably intolerant in its outlook with 1) A reluctance to accept that there may be other ways to achieve socialist goals (equality of opportunity, welfare provision etc) 2) Assumptions that all people will benefit from these goals.

    Read More

  • Pluralism with Multiple Methods of Adaptation

    580 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gould and Lewontin present an argument criticizing the way evolutionary science solely relies on adaptations in the current environment. Their argument, known as pluralism, asserts that evolutionary biology continues on the path adaptationism without ever exploring other methods. Gould and Lewontin propose several alternative approaches, the fourth of which states that an identical trade into different organisms of the same species can be led to in different ways that have the same result. They assert that organisms that do this are a product of selection even though they used one method instead of another does not enhance the fitness of the organism. To demonstrate this, suppose there are two foxes. The first is able to dig the burrow using its front paws and snout while the second uses its hind legs followed by the front paws. In this scenario both of these foxes dig equally sufficient burrows at the same speed and both are able to remain and live comfortably inside of them. The foxes come to the same result by utilizing different meth...

    Read More

  • Social Stratification in All Human Societies

    697 Words  | 2 Pages

    amount of money at work, the same amount of land to build a house on,

    Read More

  • Cultural Pluralism Class Reflection

    729 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the valuable experiences that I learned is that difference employees from the diver's origin, race and ethnicity can build a strong, diverse organization that can help the public with different languages, races, and ethnicity. The LAPD deals with the public that has diverse culture and languages. Divers employees can assist non-English speakers, understand them better since they are familiar with their culture and country origin. For an example, a couple of days ago when I walked to the station, it was a lady in the Southeast division lobby that she was very frustrated and talked only in the Spanish language. Two officers were assigned at the front desk did not speak English and there was no way they could communicate with a lady. They

    Read More

  • Definitions And Characteristics Of The Caribbean Identity And Culture

    999 Words  | 2 Pages

    The economic pressures which globalization has brought to the region should encourage the formation of this singular entity. This image is now beginning to prevail. A Caribbean identity is seen as a complex concept due to how diverse the region appears. However, there are many similarities, leading to the existence of a ‘culture sphere’. Caribbean identity is more influenced by the relationship with you and the people around you rather than solely on ones nationality. This implies that ethnicity plays a great part in developing an identity. Similarities of Caribbean people is that we are all ‘transported people’ (excluding the Amerindians) - meaning that we have a homeland in another place, we all have European colonizers, and we have the same experience of African slavery. The response to oppression was also unanimous throughout the region. A culture of overcoming is also part of our identity, as seen with our strong migration ethic, in order to achieve social

    Read More

  • Pluralism Reflection Paper

    1261 Words  | 3 Pages

    From 1840-1880, education leaders were focused on extending common schools throughout the nation. Therefore, when faced with the concept of pluralism, they saw it as a nuisance. They were unable to see the value and importance of diversity and culture for education as a whole. However, pluralism plays a huge role in shaping America to be a melting pot of different cultures, characterized by a community of varied races, languages, political beliefs, and educational interests. In this reflection, I will use the concept of “America as a melting pot” to argue that pluralism is the single most influential era of urban school reform.

    Read More

More about Social Stratification And Pluralism

Open Document