The Concept of Social Stratification Social stratification is a system by which society categorizes people and ranks them in a hierarchy, affecting everything from social status to job opportunities. It exists universally but varies across societies, influencing life chances independent of individual traits or choices. This system persists across generations and allows for some degree of social mobility.
Closed vs Open Systems: Caste and Class Stratification systems can be closed or open; caste systems are rigid with little mobility based on ascribed status at birth, while class systems allow more movement based on personal achievement. Examples include India's traditional caste system versus the American class-based meritocracy that theoretically offers upward mobility through hard work.
Meritocracy's Role in Justifying Inequality In an open class-based system like the US, meritocracy suggests anyone can rise through effort alone, often ignoring structural factors limiting true equality. Despite greater openness compared to historical feudal or caste systems, existing inequalities still reproduce themselves due to initial advantages impacting outcomes significantly.
'Mixed' Stratified Societies: Beyond Simple Dichotomies 'Mixed' stratified societies blend elements from both closed and open models; modern Britain combines remnants of nobility with a flexible class structure similar to the US model. Even ostensibly equal societies like Soviet Russia had internal hierarchies showing universal yet variable nature of stratification influenced by political power alongside economic factors.