Chap: 4
Past paper questions (2016-24)
Why social stratification is an inevitable for a society? Explain its
determinants in the context of Pakistani society (2016)
Introduction:
Social differentiation is a universal characteristic because the division of some
functions is necessary in a society. Some of these are biological but most of these
are socially fixed. In every society, individuals are different in terms of profession,
material possession, honor, prestige, authority, beliefs and other characteristics.
This difference of individuals provides a mechanism of dividing into different
classes which is called stratification. According to sociologists, this study is very
important because it seriously affects the institutional relations and social
interaction. Stratification is the product of social inequality and is a relatively
permanent position of the society, is transmitted from one race to another, limits
the chances of progress. Its ways are different in different societies and are
changeable with social changes and sometimes this stratification becomes a cause
of revolution.
Definitions of Social Stratification:
Augburn and Nimkoff:
“Social stratification is a class division of society of permanent group position
which is admitted by the superior or inferior individual of a society."
Gilbert:
Social stratification is group division of a society and there is difference of
superiority or inferiority among the individual."
Social stratification is an inevitable for a society:
Functionalist theory:
Functionalist theory states that stratification provides a position in the social
world for individuals or groups, and helps people function properly in their roles
by prescribing expected modes of behavior. It also suggests that stratification
leads to a more productive society because it provides motivation for different
positions, particularly those with higher statuses and rewards. By distributing
resources unequally, society motivates people to work harder and better in order
to achieve a higher status.
Conflict theory:
Conflict theory says that stratification results from lack of opportunity and
discrimination against the poor and people of color. Conflict theory also argues
that stratification benefits certain groups more than others through rigid systems
of mobility and change.
Determinants of Social Stratification
1. Wealth:
The presence of wealth is the element of stratification in the societies of the
world. Wealth has two ingredients:
Ownership of land.
Sources of income (pay or profit).
The people who own economic resources of getting wealth, they have a superior
status in the society. The concept of wealth is different in different societies. In
agrarian society, land is important sources of wealth whereas industrial societies
have sources of income. That is why, in the industrial societies some servants and
some traders without any ownership have big wealth and have an important
place in the society.
2. Power and Authority:
Power is that capability that makes others subordinate to a person. The power
can be legitimate authority or a traditional authority. In modern societies, political
status is also a source of power and authority which is called political power.
Especially in democratic system of government, it has great importance. In all
societies, the division of power is unequal, giving rise to social stratification. The
more the legal, traditional or political power an individual or a group has in a
society, the more the determination of the social stratification. Just as Member of
National Assembly or leader of a political or religious party have great social
position in the Pakistani society and have higher status in the social stratification.
3. Occupation:
Occupation attachment especially, in agrarian and traditional societies, plays a
very important role in the stratification. A period extending over centuries in the
social life has determined the social status through social interaction as to which
of the profession is superior and which is inferior and societies determine their
stratification on the basis of profession without considering the personal status of
individuals.
In Indian and Pakistani society, even today occupation is considered an important
factor, in stratification. Blacksmiths, carpenters and pottery-makers are
considered in village societies lower than agriculturists and in an urban society a
motor mechanic is considered lower than a food inspector.
4. Caste:
Caste system is a closed and heredity system, having importance in certain
societies for stratification because an individual’s honor, prestige and social
relation depend on his caste. In the Sub-continent, the caste system of Hindus is
thought as a determining factor in the stratification. But in modern industrial
society and in the postindustrial society, caste is not considered. But in American
society color and race has the same importance which is in the Sub-continent
society of Hindus between Brahmin and Shoodur. In Pakistan, some castes are
traditionally thought superior and inferior to stratification which is above.
5. Prestige and Popularity:
An eminent deed of an individual of a society becomes a cause of his honor and
an increase of his regard in most of the population. This gives a superior status in
the stratification whereas ignoring or unpopularity decreases the status in the
society. In Pakistani society, cricket, hockey, squash, martyrs of armed forces and
atomic scientists because of their eminent performance get a popularity, honor
and love. Whereas people accepting bribe, politicians, dacoits and drug traffickers
are considered hateful and inferior in the eyes of the people.
Write notes on the following:
Caste and class dynamics in Pakistan (2020)
Introduction:
A six-fold classification of classes was presented by Warner which is summarized
give below:
1. Upper-Upper
This class comprises few members and enjoys highest socio-economic and
political status.
2. Lower-Upper
This class holds similar occupations as those of upper-upper however, they are
yet not completely established in the upper cadre. They have recently acquired
wealth and are in the process of establishing their prestige through conspicuous
consumption.
3. Upper-Middle
They are relatively more in number as compared to upper classes. They are
entrepreneurs, civil leaders, academicians, and scientists by profession and are
considered the intellectual backbone of society.
4. Lower-Middle
They are small entrepreneurs, investors, white-collar workers and small
landowners. They are considered as the class who are highly motivated to change
their social position
5. Upper-Lower
This class includes semi-skilled workers. They might be involved in lower cadre
administrative and clerical jobs. They are less motivated as compared to lower-
middle class. In the words of R.K Merton, they are ritualists who accept the
legitimate means but reject the pursuit of wealth.
6. Lower-Lower
They represent the lower position in the hierarchy of society. They are unskilled,
uneducated and are mostly involved in menial tasks. Their social, economic, and
health status is appalling.
Determinants of class system:
Family prestige:
One of the most important determinant is prestige which is transferred by family
from one generation to another.
Occupation:
Occupation determines a person’s class in Pakistan. Certain occupations with less
income but high social status can ease one’s movement from lower to upper class
e.g. civil bureaucracy.
Power:
People are often classified on the basis of power and authority that they hold.
This is the reason that in societies like Pakistan, people are more likely to join
occupations that are considered to have power and authority.
Education:
Education facilitates social mobility to a greater extent. Apart from providing the
individual with specialized skills suitable for professions, education generates
etiquettes, social skills and interests that are particular to high culture.
Nature and character of class:
Class’ a status group
Class can be achieved and can be changed
Class system is universal
Social class is open group
It arouses feeling of class consciousness
Caste:
Caste is a permanent group having its status ascribed at birth. It cannot be
changed. Caste is a system of stratification, in which mobility up and down and
the status ladder, at least ideally does not occur.
Characteristics of caste:
Caste is a closed social group.
Caste is hierarchical division
Closed group
Sub culture: every class has its own norms which can be different from
others. E.g.: marriage norms / issues of out of caste marriages.
Social control: every caste has its own informal methods of social control.
Merits of caste system:
Biradri system.
Social solidarity
Norms are forceful and offer social control
Castes are endogamous… means they marry within caste.
Demerits of caste system:
Ethnocentrism among the members of one caste
Norms of castes are rigid in nature
New elements of changes are rejected
Marriage out of caste is rejected
Difference between caste and class system in Pakistan:
Class:
Class is flexible
Class can change
Class does not form biradri
Class can be exogamous
There is less ethnocentrism in class
Feeling of association is less strong in classes
There is less solidarity in classes
Class favors social change
Classes do not have norms
Caste:
Caste is rigid
Caste cannot change
Castes form biradri system
Castes are endogamous
Caste are ethnocentric
Feelings of association are stronger in castes
There is more solidarity in castes
Castes reject social change
Castes have their own norms
Biradri:
It is the group of people belonging to same caste, intermarrying together.
Two or more families related to each other are called biradri.
People of biradri do not necessarily live at the same place.
There may be different languages, styles, and customs in biradri.
Old biradries having same caste are still strong in Pakistan. They have more
rigid norms.
Social violations in biradries are strictly condemned.
Endogamy is a strict condition in some of the biradries.
