SOC101Y1 Chapter Notes -Petite Bourgeoisie, Socioeconomic Status, Class Conflict
Document Summary
Social stratification: persistent patterns of social inequality within society (rich and poor, powerful and powerless, etc. 4 basic areas of sociological inquiry: social structure, social order, social change, and social stratification. Also studies micro level that reinforce social hierarchies. Inequalities in wealth can threaten social stability but inequalities in power can be used to maintain social order. Understanding social stratification is essential for studying social change because stratification itself is undergoing change. Social hierarchy might emerge as a result of skill differences. Meritocracy: society where most statuses are achieved by how well a person performs a role. Social mobility: process where people move up or down a status hierarchy. Open stratification system: merit rather than inheritance determines social rank; offers many chances for upward social mobility. Closed stratification: how individual is born determines the type of work allowed to do; little or no social mobility occurs because most statuses are ascribed.
