Social Stratification
The division of society into classes or ‘strata’ which from a hierarchy of prestige and power is called social stratification. Sociologist have identified four general types of stratification through out history.
1#Slavery : It is the oldest form of stratification which demonstrate severe exploitation. Hobhouse define slave as a “Man” whom law and custom regard as the property of another.
Slavery divided society into two.
1. Slave owner.
2. Slave.
Characteristic of slavery:-
· The slave is characterized by compulsory labor
· He is the subject of his master.
· He has no social right.
· He has no family or attends any public council.
· He could not choose his govt. or he had no political right.
Two major examples of slavery are:
1. Ancient civilization of Greece and Rome.
2. The southern part of USA in the 18th century.
In the east slavery was known ‘Chattel slavery’. Because it did not demonstrate such exploitation.
2#Estate system:-
This system was found in medieval Europe. It was based on Agricultural economy. Each state was a legal complex of rights and duties of privileges and obligations. The top most position was occupied by “Feudal Loads”. The ‘Surfy’ at the lowest position. In between there were other classes. For example the nobles? for defense. The clergy- who prayed for all.
The serves were in a better position than the slaves. They had a social life but could not leave the land without their Lords permission. In case of emergency they had to fight on be-half of the Lord to protect their land.
3#Caste:-
This is a unique form of stratification pattern found mostly in India. According to Luad Berg “A caste is a social group into which members are born and from which they can withdraw only by death.”
The caste system is based on two concepts.
1. Karma- worldly activities
2. Varna- that means caste is determine by rebirth of the individual according to his ‘Karma’.
· Brahman- priest.
· Kshatriya- warriors.
· Vaisyas- traders.
Sudra- manual worker.
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