Introductio to sociology/Stratification/bokyung Kim

1.     summary

This writing talks about Stratification. Stratification is a hierarchical arrangement of people according to wealth, race, gender, etc. Stratification continues throughout the world. Sociologists can define stratification in terms of social and economic status, reflecting power, property, and prestige. In the past, hunters made groups and fished in groups. There were few transactions with other groups, surpluses and inequalities, and everyone worked the same way. In the  horticultural/pastoralist societies groups of people grew up, and each person began to have surplus goods and exchange wealth, resulting in a gap in wealth. This has led to the beginning of inequality and continues to last today. The reason why inequality remains constant is because rich and powerful people protect the unequal system to protect their own wealth and status. Culture teaches acceptance of inequality, and people take it naturally. Stratification can be accessed in a structured manner. There are conflict theorists arguing that hierarchy is harming society. Cooperation is needed in order for our society to become equal. Marxists argue that we must live on “from each according to their ability, to each according to their need.”  There are many instances of inequality in capitalism, race, gender, and class. We can analyze stratification by micro, meso, and macro methods. As a result of inequality, people have different lives, medical services, and educational opportunities. There are several theories concerning the causes and consequences of global inequality. It includes development and modernization, dependency, world systemes theory, etc.

Hierarchy of hazard control diagram
byhttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/Hierarchy_of_hazard_control_diagram_01.jpg

 

 

2.     Interesting point

 

I read this writing and feel that stratification and the inequalities are very serious problem in the world.
Before reading this writing, I think that social inequalities have been alleviated much more recently than in the past.
However, many stratification and inequality are still going on around the world.
I think this is a big social problem.
I want to live in a society without hierarchy and inequality.
I think people need conscious effort to do that.
I am interested in many theories about stratification.
I want to study more about them.

 

 

 

3.     Discussion point

I am wondering what kind of effort is necessary in terms of personal / institutional in order to eliminate stratification and inequality in our society. How can we solve the problem? I wonder your opinion.