Stratification and Mobility

Stratification and Mobility

The ideas of equality and inequality, which in a sociological context refer to "social equality" and "social
inequality," are inextricably linked to the study ofsocial stratification. Our value system is intricately
related to them.

Concepts
EQUALITY-
Since the beginning of time, "equality" has been one of the people's most important values. However,
social inequality has always existed in human societies. When J.J. Rousseau argued that "men are born
free and equal butwherever they are in chains," he was identifying the reality that led to the French
Revolution of 1789. Even now, the pursuit of equality and the fight against injustice and inequality are
on-going.

Equality is a normative idea in sociology, suggesting that variation exists among people and that
equality does not imply the lack of it (biological, social, economic, psychological etc.). Humans, despite
their many variances, all possess the same moral value. They therefore have similar rights under the
same conditions.

Even though the word "equality" has philosophical, legal, and political connotations, most sociological
discussions have centred on equality as a socialenvironment factor. Since the French Revolution and
the emergence of liberal democracies in Europe, equality has typically been seen as primarily being a
political concept. Liberal democracies, for instance, think that equality refers to equality between
people as citizens. In this context, equality includes constitutional rights, or the core human rights, as
well as the right to hold public office and the right to enjoy all other civil liberties.

British sociologist Peter Saunders makes a distinction between three differentkinds of equality:
1. Formal equality- All persons are allowed to compete with each other due tolegal and political
equality. It was developed alongside capitalism as a reaction to the feudal system. Legal and
political equality, according to this argument, are meaningless unless socioeconomic equality is
accomplished.
2. Equality of Opportunity. The beginning circumstances that determine our futures must be equally
available to everyone. Equality of opportunity is viewed by functionalists as functional, whereas
everything beyond it is viewedas dysfunctional. People have an equal chance of being unequal,
i.e., a meritocracy.
3. Equality of Outcome- (Marxist idea- equal reward for any work ex affirmative action). Regardless
of how hard each person has worked to finishthe race, everyone must do so together. It is the
Marxist response to the ultimate loss of equality that results from opportunity equality.

INEQUALITY-
Inequality exists everywhere, regardless of time or location. Differences exist in every community,
whether they are natural or biological (race, colour, height, or sex) or social (occupation, education,
recognition). The occurrence of unequal opportunities and incentives for various social positions or
statuses within a group or community is known as social inequality. Social evaluations of superiority
and inferiority result in unequal rewards in terms of income, fame, and power for different people.
Inequalities that are a consequence of society are referred to as social inequity. A specific type of
socioeconomic inequality is stratification. It alludes to the existence of social groupings that are
superior to one another in terms of the level of influence, prestige, and wealth possessed by their
members. It can alsobe categorised as follows:
1. Andre Beteille- There is two ways that stratificational inequality mightoccur.
a. Cumulative (when three reward kinds overlap, such as when one groupgets riches, power,

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 Stratification and Mobility

and prestige).
b. Distributed (e.g. Kshatriyas/royalty has power but Brahmins havehigher status).
2. Stratification, according to Andre Beteille, can be either harmonic (when the rules justify
inequality; caste system) or dis-harmonic (where norms legitimise equality but inequality is the
reality).
3. Gerhard Lensky is more interested in the many wants, needs, and passions of people and smaller
groups. Stratification is defined by Gerhard Lensky from the perspective of the group. The
placement of a group symmetrically along each of the three reward axes is known as status
consistency or status crystallisation. Status inconsistency is the result of asymmetry on the three
axes. Conflicts result from inconsistencies in status.
4. Loius Dumont contends that inequality is a way of life rather than something that is opposed to
equality. It encourages dependency.
5. According to conflict theorists like Karl Marx, capitalism leads toinequality. Communism, however,
will lead to equality.
6. According to functional theorists, inequality is necessary for society to function and is both
inevitable and desirable. Important societal roles demand higher education and should be
compensated accordingly. Thisviewpoint contends that social stratification and inequality result
in an ability-based meritocracy.
7. Feminist theory holds that patriarchy is a primary cause of inequality.
8. One of the earliest thinkers to identify inequality and propose methodsfor its distribution was
PLATO. Status and power could be changed for the benefit of the person and society as a whole.

Every community makes distinctions between males and females, as well as between the young and
the old. Depending on factors like skin colour, religion, athletic prowess, or intellectual attainment,
society treats its members differently. Inequality is the only outcome of this divergence. No society in
the world recognises everyone equally. In this straightforward sense, inequality permeates all human
communities.

One of the most urgent social issues facing modern society is Inequality. Socialdisparity has historically
sparked uprisings, revolutions, and other forms of social transformation. Bloody conflicts have resulted
between slave and

master, nobility and commoner, worker and capitalist, and poor and rich. These tensions and conflicts
have gained international significance ever since Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto, published in 1848,
thrust the subject of socioeconomic inequality to the forefront of political discussion. Social instability,
economic ups and downs, political tensions, potential violence, status insecurities, fear and
uncertainty, and other issues in our society are allsignificantly correlated with social inequality.

HIERARCHY-
Hierarchy is a consequence of stratification, which in turn results from inequalities. Hierarchy develops
when disparities are ordered in a particular order. Grading or a rating system is what the word
"hierarchy" means in its literal sense. This phrase is frequently used while talking about socioeconomic
stratification. It implies that people and groups in any society are not treated equally but rather are
given varied social rankings. According to the idea of hierarchy, members of a society are graded or
ranked in accordance with the kinds of statuses they hold.

There are many different types of hierarchies, including caste, class, gender, and political hierarchies.
The extent of the hierarchy determines how differentiating a society is. According to functionalist
academics, hierarchy is a sign of the society's growing specialisation and differentiation. According to
postmodernists, western civilizations contain an endless number of hierarchies and a continuum of
personalised inequities.

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