Unit 5: Social Stratification

Meaning and definition of social

differences, inequalities and
stratification
 Social Stratification (Meaning and Definition):
• Stratification (Division, leveling, Grading, Grouping, Inequality,
Diversity, and Variation of people on the basis of: Class system, caste
system, Gender, Ethnicity, Religion, Region, Language, Race etc)
• Everywhere individuals and societies differ. In no society people are
absolutely equal in all respects. Differentiation is the keynote of
human society. Society rests on the principle of difference. Differences
are inherent in the very nature of the society.
• Stratification can be defined as structured inequalities between
different groupings of people.
• According to Ginsberg, “Social stratification is the division of society
into permanent group of categories linked with each other by the
relationship of superiority and subordination”.
• Social stratification is the ordering of social differences with the help
of a set of criteria or just a single criterion which ties the
differentiated strata into a system, (Gupta, 2000).
• The term social inequality simply refers to the existence
of socially created inequalities. Social stratification is a
particular form of social inequality.
• Social stratification, a system by which a society ranks
categories of people in a hierarchy.
• Social stratification refers to a society’s categorization
of its people into rankings of socioeconomic tiers based
on factors like wealth, income, race, education, and
power.
• Social stratification refers to arrangement of any social
group or society into a hierarchy of positions that are
unequal with regard to power, property and psychic
gratification.
Features/ Characteristics of Social stratification:
1. It is Social: ( Stratification is social in the sense that it does not
represent inequality which are biologically based).
2. It is Ancient: The stratification system is very old. Stratification
was present even in the small wandering bands.
3. It is Universal: Social stratification is universal. Difference
between rich and poor, the ‘haves’ or ‘have notes’ is evident
everywhere
4. It is in diverse Forms: Social stratification has never been
uniform in all societies. (Such as Caste, Class, Gender, Racial,
Religious etc).
5. It is Consequential: The stratification system has its own
consequences. The system leads to two kind of consequences:
(i) Life chances and (ii) Life style.
 Functions of Stratification:

1. Social stratification détermines individual

placement
2. Social stratification encourages competition and
hard-work
3. Social stratification regulates human relationships
4. Social stratification performs economic function:
5. Social stratification serves as social control:
6. Social stratification engendres différent socialisation
7. Social stratification performs integrative functions
 four important principles:

1. Social stratification is a traits of society not

simply reflection of individual differences.
2. It carries over from generation to generation.
3. It is universal but variables.
4. It involves not just inequality but beliefs as
well.
 THEORIES OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

1. The structural-functional approach points to ways social

stratification helps society operate. The Davis-Moore thesis states that
social stratification is universal because of its functional consequences.
• In caste system, people are rewarded for performing the duties of their
position at birth. In class system, unequal rewards attract the ablest
people to the most important jobs and encourage effort.
2. The social conflict approach claims that stratification divides
societies in classes, benefiting some categories of people at the expense
of others and causing social conflict. Karl Marx claimed that capitalism
places economic production under the ownership of capitalists, who
exploit the proletarians who sell their labor for wages. Max Weber
identified three distinct dimensions of social stratification: economic,
social, and political. Conflict exists between people at various positions
and a multidimensional hierarchy of socioeconomic status.
3. The symbolic-Interaction approach, a micro-
level analysis, explains that we size up people
by looking for clues to their social standing.
• Stratification is a factor that guides people’s
interaction in everyday life.
 Differences (Meaning and Definition):
• In all societies there is differentiation of the population
by age, sex, & personal characteristics.
• Strictly speaking, there are no purely equalitarian
societies, only society's differing in degree of
stratification.
• Everywhere individuals & societies differ. In no society
people are absolutely equal in all respects.
• Differentiation is the keynote of human society. Society
rests on the principle of difference. Difference is inherent
in the very nature of society.
• In all societies there is social differentiation of the
population by age, sex, occupation, education &
personal characteristics.
Causes of Social differences
Talcott Parsons mentions three causal factors of
social differentiation –
1) Possession:- it refers to mainly material
possessions, such as money, wealth, property and
all the other valuable, utilitarian material objects.
The unequal distribution of this material possession
has contributed to inequality and differentiation.
2) Qualities:- it refers to the mainly intrinsic capacities
or abilities of people to undertake or to do a task.
These qualities are also not equally distributed.
3) Performance:-it refers to the execution of task in
given time under a given situation.
 social inequality( Meaning and Definition):
• Inequality refers to the phenomenon of unequal and/or
unjust distribution of resources and opportunities among
members of a given society.
• inequality encompasses distinct yet overlapping economic,
social, and spatial dimensions
• Social inequality refers to a situation in which individual
groups in a society do not have equal social status. Social
inequality is linked to racial, gender and wealth inequality
• Economic inequality refers to disparities in the distribution
of economic assets and income.
• Educational inequality occurs where the quality of
education available to pupils is closely related to their social
class or status. ( Inequality in Nepal: Caste, Class, Gender,
Ethnic, Religious, Regional, Language etc.).
 Dimensions of social stratification in
Nepal

• Caste, class, ethnicity and gender

 Caste Based Stratification in Nepal:

Caste is a social structuring based on a particular religious belief.

According to the Varna, the Hindu society was divided into four main
Varna’s namely, the Brahmins, the Kashtriyas, the Vaishya, and the
Shudras
Demerits of Caste system in Nepal :
a. It has given scope to the inhuman practice of untouchability.
b. It has hindered the growth of strong national unity.
c. The excessive caste loyalty has brought political dishonesty
d. It has prevented the proper growth of democracy.
e. It has retarded the progress.
f. It has hindered mobility, it has made our society more static than
dynamic
• According to Muluki Ain 1854 AD which was even practiced up to
2020 BS the dimension of caste in Nepal has following categories:
1. Tagadhari ( Sacred thread wearing caste)
(Upadhaya Brahman , Rajput Thakuri , Jaisi Brahman , Kshetri , Deu Bhaju ,Indian
Brahman ,Sanyasi Giri , Tallo (lower) Jaisi , Different Newar caste
2. Matawali (Inslavable Drinking caste)
(Magar , Gurung , Sunuwar , Any other Newar caste)
3. Matawali Slavable
( Bhote ,Chepang ,Kumal ,Hayu , Tharu , Gharti )
4. Untouchable but sprinkling of water is not necessary
( Kasai, Kusale , Hindhu Dhobi , Kulu ,Musalman , Mlechha )
5. Untouchable but sprinkling of water is needed
( Kami , Sarki , Kadara ,Damai , Gaine , Badi , Pode , Chyame)
 Class Based Stratification in Nepal:

Social class' is a principal type of social

stratification found especially in the modern
civilized countries.
a. upper class based on the ‘ownership of
property in the means of production’,
b. middle class based on the ‘ possession of
educational or technical qualifications’ and
c. lower or working class based on the ‘
possession of manual labor power’.
Class System in Nepal:
• According to Prof. Dor Bahadur Bista, Nepalese Societies
are arranged into following class which he explained in
his popular book Fatalism and Development 1992
1. Upper Class • People who believe on fatalism • Haves •
Higher caste • Ruler class
2. Middle Class • Educated and self employed • Teachers,
Engineers, Doctors, Lawyer
3. Lower Class • Ploughers, Farmers, workers, land less
According to Prof Dr. Chaitanya Mishra following classes
are available in Nepalese societies:
1. Upper Class • Feudal • Aristocrat • Politicians •
Administrator, Technician and Big Merchants
2. Lower Class • Petty businessman • Waged labor • Rented
labor • Marginalized farmers • Rural land serf.
 Gender Based Stratification:
• Gender is determined by socio-cultural systems. Society gives roles &
status to women & men regarding what they should or shouldn't do.
• Gender stratification is the unequal distribution of wealth, power, and
privilege between men and women. ( Masculinity: Maleness and
Femininity: Femaleness)
• Gender is the role that men & women fulfill differently & these roles are
formed on the basis of social norms & values, religion & culture, In
almost all the societies in the world such socially determined roles are
discriminatory or support patriarchal social structure on the basis of
gender
• In Nepal, it has been the hot issue before and after the 2nd Jana
Andolan. Gender issues like woman’s violence, the concern of property
right, the question of proportionate representative in NGOs and GOs,
attitudes and belief system towards woman, religious and cultural based
discrimination, etc. are making the hot debate among the various group
of people, including political parties, feminists, social worker, etc.
• Feminism is support of social equality for women and men, in opposition
to patriarchy and sexism. Feminist most support five general principles:
• Working to increase equality.
• Expanding human choice.
• Eliminating gender stratification.
• Ending sexual violence.
• Promoting sexual freedom.
• A patriarchy is a social system in which family systems or entire societies
are organized around the idea of father-rule, where males are primary
authority figures. Male power in a patriarchy can be found at family,
society, community and governmental level.
• Sexual Violence is the general term we use to describe any kind of
unwanted sexual act or activity. Rape is one type of sexual violence. Rape
is a violent crime in which victim and offender typically know one
another.
• Sexual Abuse is usually undesired sexual behavior by one person upon
another
 Ethnic Stratification:
• Ethnic group is an organized group of related people with distinctive cultural
identity in a national population
• Ethnicity is not based on biology but on people’s shared cultural heritage.
• Ethnic stratification involves the separation of groups along ethnic lines. This
stratification is usually horizontal in nature and is typically connected to the
distribution of opportunities, privileges, advantages, material rewards, and
power among ethnic groups within a society.
• Some of the key concepts to ethnic stratification are power, access, and
opportunity, which are tied to an ethnic's group social status.
• Nepal is a multi-ethnic country. According to National census (2011), 59 types
of ethnic groups are existing in Nepal
Ethnic division in Nepal:
• Endangered ethnic group: Raute, Kishan,…….
• Highly marginalized ethnic group: Chepange, Satar…..
• Marginalized ethnic group: Tharu, Majhi……
• Disadvantage ethnic group: Rai , Limbu……
• Advanced ethnic group: Newar and Thakali
Social Stratification Vis-a-Vis Management and
Business Administration

• In all societies, there is differentiation of the population by age, sex and

personal characteristics. Everywhere individuals and society differ. In
fact there are no purely egalitarian societies.
• All societies exhibit some system of hierarchy whereby its members
are placed in positions that are higher or lower, superior and inferior
in relation to each other.
• Similarly, stratification can be found in organizational setting. Different
people having different talent and skills obtain their position
hierarchically.
• Since the word stratification simply refers to the process in which
people are placed in hierarchical position based on certain system of
social inequality, we can see the different people from different social,
linguistic, and religious background having different skills in business
and management setting.
• Furthermore, the word management itself refers the inequality
where someone, having more power and higher status, supervises,
controls and coordinates the activities of the others.
• The existence of bureaucratic organization itself related to
stratification where superior controls the junior level workers by
using power. If the hierarchy is not maintained, it's difficult to
manage and promote the business.
• It is claimed that the specialized division of labor, which
characterizes organizational society, is based on a hierarchal
principle of authority and control. The job fragmentation and
specialization have evolved as a means of control based on
principle of divide and conquer.
• A hierarchy of authority is said to be necessary in order to
coordinate, supervise, and control the many specialized tasks in the
division of labor. It is also the fact that every different people have
their talent in different fields