Social stratification
Every society ranks people in some way. Stratification is the system that determines who gets more wealth, power, and prestige.
Systems of stratification
In a caste system, status is ascribed at birth and movement between groups is nearly impossible; marriage is usually within one's caste. In a class system, status is partly achieved through education and work, and movement is possible, though often limited. A meritocracy is an ideal in which rewards are based purely on ability and effort; no real society fully matches it.
Ascribed and achieved status
Ascribed status is assigned at birth, such as race, sex, or a family's wealth. Achieved status is earned, such as becoming a doctor. Class systems mix both: a child born to wealthy parents can more easily achieve high status through good schools, connections, and inheritance.
Weber's three dimensions
Max Weber argued that stratification has three dimensions: class (economic position), status (social prestige), and party (political power). They usually go together but not always: a religious leader may have great prestige but little wealth, and a lottery winner may have wealth but not prestige.
Flashcard
A society's ranking of people by wealth, power, and prestige
Check your understanding
In a society where people are born into a group, must marry within it, and cannot change it during their lives, the system is a: