Sociology 1020 Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: Social Stratification, Shudra, Vaishya

• School: Western University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: Sociology 1020
• Professor: Sharon Roberts

Document Summary

A system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy. Social stratification is based on four principles: It is a trait of society, not simply a reflection of individual differences. Some individuals do experience social mobility, a change in position within the social hierarchy. It is universal but variable; the thing that is being distributed unequally, and how unequal it is will depend on the society. A closed system allows for little social mobility while an open system allows for much more. A caste system is social stratification based on ascription, or birth. The indian system identifies four major castes: brahman, kshatriya, vaishya, and shudra. Caste systems are typically an agrarian society because agriculture demands a lifelong routine of hard work. Modern society attracts people to work in occupations other than farming; this gives rise to class system, which is social stratification based on both birth and individual achievement.