Social and Political Stratification

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL
STRATIFICATION:
SOCIAL DESIRABLES
STRATIFICATION
The dictionary defines stratification as 'something that has been arranged
into categories.'
• SOCIAL STRATIFICATION refers to the kind and degree of distribution
of resources within a social system.
Examples: wealth, status, prestige, and privilege
• POLITICAL STRATIFICATION is best explained as the extent to which
such inequalities are enclosed in, or influenced by, political structures and
processes.
Examples: involving influence, authority, or power
THE MEANING AND CHARACTERISTICS
OF SOCIAL DESIRABLES
SOCIAL DESIRABLES are factors that affect social stratification. A social hierarchy
exists because of the unequal distribution of social desirables—property, power, and
prestige—in a society where the larger population of financially-challenged
individuals have less social desirables than the smaller group of rich people.
The following describes each social desirable:
• PROPERTY: income-producing assets that people own (e.g. real estate) that increase
financial wealth
• POWER: the capacity to influence individuals or activities to achieve wealth and
prestige
• PRESTIGE: an individual’s status among his peers in society
OF SOCIAL DESIRABLES
These three factors dictate one’s place in society. Ideally, the greater social desirable
a person has denotes a higher position in society. Because social desirables come
hand in hand, more top class people become well-known and influential in society
and, as such, are treated with greater care and professionalism.
Examples:
• Service quality in high-end restaurants significantly differ from casual dining
venues.
• In significant societal functions, good seats are usually reserved for high-ranking
individuals.
• People quickly follow trends set by powerful and influential people.
THE ROLE OF SOCIAL DESIRABLES
IN A FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE
In a FUNCTIONALIST SOCIETY, all social elements are seen as
contributing factors in reaching social equilibrium and balance.
• Social desirables serve as rewards for fulfilling certain social goals.
• Inequality is seen as universal and, therefore, allows unequal
distribution of power, prestige, and property without disrupting the
social structure.
• The most important positions in society are rewarded the most.
THE ROLE OF SOCIAL DESIRABLES
IN A CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE
A CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE views the attainment of social
desirables as a constant competition for scarce resources.
• Inequality greatly exists in a society that drives people to compete
for resources, resulting to social change and continuous conflict.
• People with social desirables are given more importance and
priority than ordinary workers and individuals.
• Social desirables dictate how one should be treated in a society of
inequality.
STRATIFICATION:
SOCIAL MOBILITY SYSTEMS
SOCIAL MOBILITY AND ITS
SYSTEMS
SOCIAL MOBILITY is the movement of individuals or groups
from one social status to another. A movement may be vertical
—going up or down the social hierarchy, or horizontal—simply
changing a social role within the same social class. Oftentimes,
social status is seen as mainly dependent upon socioeconomic
factors like power, prestige, and wealth. However, in some
cases, status is determined by cultural or spiritual norms. These
variations only specify that social mobility may also involve
systems that may or may not be open to social change.
SOCIAL MOBILITY AND ITS
SYSTEMS
Social mobility may also be looked into in terms of generational factors.
An INTRAGENERATIONAL MOBILITY specifies the vertical or
horizontal movement of social status in the course of one’s lifespan. A man
who was poor as a child but became rich as an adult is an example of this.
On the other hand, INTERGENERATIONAL MOBILITY refers to the
movement of social status across several generations. In this case, a man may
be able to live a high-status, lavish life because of the hardwork of his poor
grandparents as blue-collared workers and the perseverance of his middle-
class parents to finish a college degree, eventually uplifting the financial
status of their family and allowing their children to live better lives.
MEANING AND TYPES OF SOCIAL
MOBILITY SYSTEMS
A SOCIAL MOBILITY SYSTEM may be an open or

closed system. As expected, an open system is less
constrictive compared to a closed one.
MOBILITY SYSTEMS
OPEN SYSTEM
• This is composed of achieved statuses where social status is
gained through merit or effort.
• Its members have access to different resources depending upon
their social status.
• No formal restrictions on marriage across classes is emphasized.
• Social mobility is possible.
Example: class system
MOBILITY SYSTEMS
CLOSED SYSTEM
• This is composed of ascribed statuses where societal membership is
defined upon or prior to birth.
• Its members strictly follow spiritual and cultural norms as a way of life.
• Mobility from one group to another is not possible.
• Decision-making is also based on cultural and spiritual norms.
• At present, it is greatly implemented in some parts of India.
Example: caste system
SOCIAL MOBILITY SYSTEMS: FUNCTIONALIST
AND CONFLICT PERSPECTIVES
Social stratification involves various perspectives such as the

functionalist and conflict points of view. In a FUNCTIONALIST VIEW
OF STRATIFICATION, all factors involved within the social structure
are seen as functional aspects that maintain social balance and
equilibrium.
Meanwhile, a CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE OF STRATIFICATION
implies that society is in constant conflict, especially with the
distribution of resources, due to the existence of inequality where higher-
ranking people are given priority and importance than lower ones.
SOCIAL MOBILITY SYSTEMS: FUNCTIONALIST
SOCIAL INEQUALITY AND THE
SOCIAL MOBILITY SYSTEM
INEQUALITY between open and closed systems must be seen as
different in terms of underlying factors. Inequalities in an open system
would involve socioeconomic concerns.
Meanwhile, inequalities in a closed system may involve power and

cultural relations. Responding to such inequalities in a closed system
would be relatively unsuccessful compared to responding in an open
system.
STRATIFICATION:
SOCIAL INEQUALITIES
SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND
CULTURAL CAPITAL
CAPITAL is accumulated labor that can produce profits or
expand in form. The misconception is that capital only
consists of financial value, but according to Bourdieu,
capital can take three forms—social, political, and
cultural. These forms of capital initiate and significantly
contribute to social inequalities.
SOCIAL CAPITAL
• It is a network of mutual relationships within a particular
social group.
• It deals with interactions that strengthen group solidarity.

POLITICAL CAPITAL
• It involves passing on public political policies to build up
"goodwill" with the public.
• Public goodwill may be utilized whenever socially

controversial policies or bills need to be approved
without damaging public interest for politicians.
CULTURAL CAPITAL
• It is an accumulation and sharing of symbolic elements of
society (e.g. skill, language, mannerism) within a specific
social class.
• It may be embodied by a person, objectified by tangible

materials, or institutionalized by qualifications or titles.
MINORITY GROUPS
MINORITY GROUPS are groups composed of less-

dominant classifications in a society that experience
disproportionately lower opportunities than their dominant
counterparts. Minority groups are characterized by distinct
physical or cultural traits, unequal social treatment,
subordination in society, and high-level of group solidarity.
Some relevant issues involving minority groups:

GENDER INEQUALITY
• In some countries, women are paid relatively lower than
men due to their sexuality and biological differences.
• The LGBT community has always been treated

differently and discriminatively because they do not fall
within a biologically-defined group.
ETHNIC MINORITIES
• Because some minorities live traditionalistic lives far away
from the city and technology, and some may appear differently
than usual, they have been consistently labelled and treated as
people with minimal knowledge and capabilities.
• Lack of resources easily available for many are not utilized

within their group, thus, they receive negative attention from
the dominant public.
OTHER MINORITIES
• This may include people with disabilities or people with
religions that are less prevalent in society.
• These minorities experience discrimination at work,

especially when the physically challenged have physical
limitations, while the religious have practices and beliefs
that are greatly disagreed upon by the majority.
MINORITY GROUPS IN FUNCTIONALIST
AND CONFLICT SOCIETIES
The existence of minority groups in functionalist and conflict societies
are also embedded in each type of society’s principles.
In FUNCTIONALIST SOCIETIES, minorities also play social roles
that contribute to social balance and equilibrium. However, these
functions are bound by limitations and social norms.
In CONFLICT SOCIETIES, minority groups are seen as lower class
individuals that will not be able to keep up with the consistent
competition occurring within the environment. In both societies,
discrimination against minorities is possible.
STRATIFICATION:
GLOBAL INEQUALITIES
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STATE AND NON-
STATE ACTORS IN THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY
The STATE is the institution implementing the functions of the

government.
A NON-STATE ACTOR is an individual or organization that has
powerful economic, political, and social power but is not allied with any
particular country or state.
As influential persons or groups, the non-state actor has the capability to
influence decision-making in any national, or even international, concern.
The state recognizes the value of non-state actors in the achievement and
implementation of goals in the national and global community.
OF GLOBAL INEQUALITY
GLOBAL INEQUALITIES involve the concentration of
resources among a select number of nations, as influenced by
non-state actors, significantly affecting the living and
economic conditions of non-participating countries. It is usual
that resources will be centered on developed countries.
Because of this, developing and poor countries will have to
buy these resources from richer countries, making the cost of
living greater while keeping the economic condition and
opportunities the same.
OF GLOBAL INEQUALITY
This will lead to poorer quality of life and less special
opportunities for developing countries. A relevant concept
involved in global inequality is GLOBAL
STRATIFICATION, the unequal distribution of social gaps
across nations that are usually seen on the ratio between
some deaths versus some live births per capita as well as life
expectancy. This concept describes the quality of life and
socio-economic capabilities of nations to support such lives.
Examples:
• Locally-produced goods that have imported ingredients will still be priced

higher.
• Salaries for the same job titles in two economically different countries will be
significantly different.
• The risk for social inequality between a developing country’s classes may
become greater.
GLOBAL STRATIFICATION IN FUNCTIONALIST
FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE
• Global stratification is seen as a method of maintaining continued health and
viability of all populations.
• Positive reasons are considered for the existence of global inequalities.
CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE
• Global stratification allows for capable nations to compete for limited resources.
• Healthier, more organized nations have greater chances of acquiring goods or
materials.
IMPLICATIONS OF GLOBAL INEQUALITY
IN DEVELOPING NATIONS
The world has become “wealthier” since 2001, but according
to research, 71% of the total population own only 3% of the
global wealth. European and Western countries handle the rest
of the wealth. In projection, less developed countries will have
fewer opportunities and capabilities in the years to come. At
97% of the total global wealth, these rich countries may
quickly acquire resources available to African and Asian
countries. Having an inverse relationship, the more developed
these countries get, the poorer the developing countries will be.
ADDRESSING GLOBAL
INEQUALITIES
Because global inequalities are at the macro-level, it is also emphasized that they are
focused on the same way.
Below are some methods by which global inequalities may be addressed:
• Ownership of properties and inclusiveness of the lower class
• Inclusive partnership across nations that focus on technological advancements and
innovations
• Revise taxation plans, ensuring lower taxes for poorer people
• Monitoring and stopping labor abuse through higher wages, fewer work hours,
bonuses, health benefits, and non-contractualization

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SOCIAL AND POLITICAL

A SOCIAL MOBILITY SYSTEM may be an open or

Social stratification involves various perspectives such as the

Meanwhile, inequalities in a closed system may involve power and

• It deals with interactions that strengthen group solidarity.

• Public goodwill may be utilized whenever socially

• It may be embodied by a person, objectified by tangible

MINORITY GROUPS are groups composed of less-

Some relevant issues involving minority groups:

• The LGBT community has always been treated

• Lack of resources easily available for many are not utilized

• These minorities experience discrimination at work,

The STATE is the institution implementing the functions of the

• Locally-produced goods that have imported ingredients will still be priced

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