Social stratification is a sociological term for the hierarchical arrangement of social classes, castes, and strata within a society. Oftentimes this is arranged in terms of economics; however, it can be used in reference to any segment of a socioeconomic class.

There are four main principles related to social stratification. One, stratification is a trait of the society, not the individual. No one person creates stratification even though it shapes all of us. Two, social stratification persists through generations. In most societies children will always belong to the same class, caste or social strata as their parents. However, in western societies this has started to change due to the introduction of more social mobility. Three, stratification, while universal, is extremely variable in how it orders people. Some cultures place a higher emphasis upon religious or social standing than they do on economic. Four, stratification is instrumental in the belief-forming process. Stratification not only places some people above others, it provides legitimacy for the claim.

Critical overview

Social stratification is regarded quite differently by the principal perspectives of sociology. Proponents of structural-functional analysis suggest that since social stratification exists in all societies, a hierarchy must therefore be beneficial in helping to stabilize their existence. Conflict theorists consider the inaccessibility of resources and lack of social mobility in many stratified societies. They conclude, often working from the theories of Karl Marx, that stratification means that working class people are not likely to advance socioeconomically, while the wealthy can continue to exploit the proletariat generation after generation.

See also

• Caste system
• Social inequality
• Elitism
• Theodor Geiger
• Marxism
• Three-component theory of stratification