Economic Stratification Chapter 9 Systems of Stratification Any

Economic Stratification Chapter 9

Systems of Stratification Any stratification system may include elements of more than one type Ascribed status: social position assigned to person without regard for that person’s unique characteristics or talents Slavery: most extreme form of legalized social inequality Castes: hereditary systems of rank, usually religiously dictated, that tend to be fixed and immobile Estate system: associated with feudal societies in the Middle Ages Achieved status: social position attained by person largely through his or her own effort

Social Classes Class System – social ranking based primarily on economic position Upper Class (50% of population, makes $200, 000 a year). Influence events Middle 40 -45% Upper – family Lower – earned Upper ($114, 000 - $200, 000) Average($48, 000 - $114, 000) Working Class 30% ($27, 000 - $48, 000) Lower 20% 44% own their own homes but in undesirable neighborhoods

Karl Marx and Marxism All problems in society are a result of economics Marx argues that in capitalist society, an economic minority (the bourgeoisie) dominate and exploit an economic majority (the proletariat). Without the elimination of private ownership of the means of production, human society is unable to achieve further development.

Social Prestige of Occupations

Poverty is defined as the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions.

Social Insurance Social insurance is any government-sponsored program with the following four characteristics: the benefits, eligibility requirements and other aspects of the program are defined explicitly it is funded by taxes or premiums paid by (or on behalf of) participants (although additional sources of funding may be provided as well) the program serves a defined population, and participation is either compulsory or the program is heavily enough subsidized that most eligible individuals choose to participate

Denmark 48% income tax (60% for those making over $70, 000) 25% sales tax Government funded schools Government funded health care 5 weeks paid vacation Unemployment – 75% of prior income for up to 5 years Lowest unemployment rates and income inequality