Author Question: Define social stratification and discuss the four systems of social stratification. What will be ... (Read 109 times)

imowrer · **on:** Jul 2, 2018

Define social stratification and discuss the four systems of social stratification.

What will be an ideal response

Question 2

Few of the U.S. presidents have come from a class of Americans who qualify as being members of the power elite.

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

josephsuarez · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 2, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Social stratification is a system in which people and nations are divided into layers based on their accessibility to scarce but valuable resources. The four systems of stratification include: slavery, caste, estate, and class.
(1 ) Slavery is ownership of one group of people by another. Traditionally, slavery was created by debt, war, or crime. But colonial landowners in the New World adopted slavery to fit their economic needs.
(2 ) The caste system is built on a rigid stratification system based on birth and lasting a lifetime. Four castes with thousands of subcastes, or jati, as well as a fifth class of untouchables, compose the system in India.
(3 ) The estate system was used in Europe during the middle ages. Based on a philosophy of the divine right of kings, there were three estates the first estate composed of nobles and wealthy landowners, the second composed of clergy, and the third composed of serfs.
(4 ) The class system features stratification based on one's power, wealth (property and income), and prestige. Unlike the others, the class system has fluid boundaries and offers social mobility.

Answer to Question 2

FALSE