1. dimensions of stratification unit 5, social stratification
TRANSCRIPT
Social Stratification
• Ranking of people/groups according to their place in society
–Social Class: segment of society whose members hold a similar place in society
3 Dimensions of Social Stratification
1.Economic
2.Power
3.Prestige
Karl Marx and Max Weber• Provided the foundations of study in
the economic dimension of stratification
• Studied power and wealth• Saw 2 social classes
–Bourgeoisie: owns the means of production
–Proletariat: laborers
Income Inequality in America
“If we made an income pyramid out of a child’s blocks, with each layer portraying $500 of income, the peak would be higher than Mt. Everest, but most people would be within a few feet of the ground” ~Paul Samuelson
Income Fact• The richest 20% of Americans
make more than 50% of the income
• The poorest 20% of Americans make less than 4% of the income
–This gap continues to grow over time!
Wealth Fact
• The richest 20% of American hold 84% of the wealth
• The richest 1% of Americans hold 33% of the wealth
–This gap also continues to grow over time!
Power• The ability to control the behavior
of others, even against their will.
–This can be attached to our wealth, but also to our roles and statuses (Hitler, Obama, ME)