Social Stratification: Sociological Theories of Class and Demographic Differences in UK Society
Added on 2022-08-10
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Running head: SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
1
Criterion 1.1: Assess sociological explanations of class structure
Q1 Define the concept of ‘social stratification; and then assess the 2 main sociological
theories of ‘class’;
Answer
Social stratification in sociological perspective is a word to define the arrangement of
social standing. Social stratification discusses the society’s classification of its individual into
positions of socioeconomic ranks grounded on aspects like capital, earnings, ethnicity,
learning and authority (Grusky 2019). Sociologists distinguish social stratification as a
society-wide arrangement which creates disparities highly ostensible. Although, there have
always been discriminations amongst individuals, sociological explanations shed light on
greater social forms. According to Kerbo (2017), stratification is not related to individual
dissimilarities, but regarding systematic inequalities grounded on group association and
classes. The structure of society has propensity of influencing individuals’ social positioning.
Sociologists extricate between two types of organizations of stratification related to closed
and open system. Closed system does not show any transition in social position. They do not
facilitate individuals to shift levels and authorize social linkages between stages. Conversely,
open systems grounded on attainment facilitate movement and interaction between layers as
well as classes. In contemporary Western societies, stratification is largely organized into
three chief stratums associated with upper, middle then lower class. To Weberian
understanding, social class pertaining broadly to material possessions and is distinguished
from status class grounded on attributes as honour, status and religious affiliation.
In Marxian understanding, mode of production or division of labour distinguishes one
society from the other and every mode of production yields typical class system whereby
each class controls as well as direct the development of production. On the other hand, other
classes serve as direct producers as well as sources of services to the dominant class.
1
Criterion 1.1: Assess sociological explanations of class structure
Q1 Define the concept of ‘social stratification; and then assess the 2 main sociological
theories of ‘class’;
Answer
Social stratification in sociological perspective is a word to define the arrangement of
social standing. Social stratification discusses the society’s classification of its individual into
positions of socioeconomic ranks grounded on aspects like capital, earnings, ethnicity,
learning and authority (Grusky 2019). Sociologists distinguish social stratification as a
society-wide arrangement which creates disparities highly ostensible. Although, there have
always been discriminations amongst individuals, sociological explanations shed light on
greater social forms. According to Kerbo (2017), stratification is not related to individual
dissimilarities, but regarding systematic inequalities grounded on group association and
classes. The structure of society has propensity of influencing individuals’ social positioning.
Sociologists extricate between two types of organizations of stratification related to closed
and open system. Closed system does not show any transition in social position. They do not
facilitate individuals to shift levels and authorize social linkages between stages. Conversely,
open systems grounded on attainment facilitate movement and interaction between layers as
well as classes. In contemporary Western societies, stratification is largely organized into
three chief stratums associated with upper, middle then lower class. To Weberian
understanding, social class pertaining broadly to material possessions and is distinguished
from status class grounded on attributes as honour, status and religious affiliation.
In Marxian understanding, mode of production or division of labour distinguishes one
society from the other and every mode of production yields typical class system whereby
each class controls as well as direct the development of production. On the other hand, other
classes serve as direct producers as well as sources of services to the dominant class.
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
2
According to Marx’s social theory of class, the linkages between class structures struggle
over the misuse of production and in particular times when the mode of production
experiences changes due to technological developments (Milios and Dimoulis 2018). The
dominant class under Marxian social theory of class regulates not only material production
but further the conception of notions. Thus, it establishes specific cultural pattern along with
a prevailing fundamental principle and its regulation over society which has propensity of
consolidating a distinctive type of political system. According to Grusky (2019), to Marxian
theory of class, developing classes which attain power and influence owing to developments
in mode of production produce radical principles and actions in contrast to governing class.
The concept of class lies at the core of Marx’s social theoretical understanding as it is the
social class established within specific mode of production which create peculiar form of
state and instigate significant changes in the class structure.
Weber’s theory of social class sheds light on the approach whereby the material
foundation of society is associated to the ideological. As per Weberian theory of class
distinguishes three characteristics of class associated with particular fundamental factor of
actors’ life chances, which is grounded entirely on monetary benefits and is characterized
under requisites of labour as well as commodity markets (Weber 2018). Furthermore,
Weberian understanding of class asserts that possession of property explains the major class
difference. However, Kerbo (2017) have noted that Weber theory of class contradicts that
class interests essentially led to the homogeneity in social action. Furthermore, his theory
conjectured that proletarian revolutionary action would establish as explicit outcome of
structural inconsistency. (530 words)
Criterion 2.1: Evaluate the significance of demographic differences and the sociological
explanations for these differences
2
According to Marx’s social theory of class, the linkages between class structures struggle
over the misuse of production and in particular times when the mode of production
experiences changes due to technological developments (Milios and Dimoulis 2018). The
dominant class under Marxian social theory of class regulates not only material production
but further the conception of notions. Thus, it establishes specific cultural pattern along with
a prevailing fundamental principle and its regulation over society which has propensity of
consolidating a distinctive type of political system. According to Grusky (2019), to Marxian
theory of class, developing classes which attain power and influence owing to developments
in mode of production produce radical principles and actions in contrast to governing class.
The concept of class lies at the core of Marx’s social theoretical understanding as it is the
social class established within specific mode of production which create peculiar form of
state and instigate significant changes in the class structure.
Weber’s theory of social class sheds light on the approach whereby the material
foundation of society is associated to the ideological. As per Weberian theory of class
distinguishes three characteristics of class associated with particular fundamental factor of
actors’ life chances, which is grounded entirely on monetary benefits and is characterized
under requisites of labour as well as commodity markets (Weber 2018). Furthermore,
Weberian understanding of class asserts that possession of property explains the major class
difference. However, Kerbo (2017) have noted that Weber theory of class contradicts that
class interests essentially led to the homogeneity in social action. Furthermore, his theory
conjectured that proletarian revolutionary action would establish as explicit outcome of
structural inconsistency. (530 words)
Criterion 2.1: Evaluate the significance of demographic differences and the sociological
explanations for these differences
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