ANTH 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Caste System In India, Endogamy, Meritocracy
Document Summary
Cluster of people related on grounds other than kinship. People who identify with each other on some basis, but do not interact or know each other on a personal level. (no access to power, resources, prestige) no standards of living, security, opportunities. Life chances depend on one"s position in society (start opportunities) Social mobility often depends on one"s position in society (start opportunities) Prestige: social honor (how one is valued by others: functionalist perspective. Motivation leads to increased efforts whole society benefits from stratification (inequality) But, to be effective, inequality= equal start opportunities. In no society people have equal start opportunities: conflict theory. Individuals and groups who have acquired power, wealth, and prestige want to maintain them. Self-sufficiency, social and economic success are possible for everybody. Work hard = better one"s status and standard of living. Low-class status is conceived as a weakness rather than an aspect of social structure and life changes.