Introduction to Sociology/Stratification/Jeong-ho Moon

1. summary
Stratification means placing people hierarchically in society. It means how people are differentiated according to their wealth (and/or power).

Three elements of stratification: power, property,prestige

Prestige refers to the reputation or respect associated with status in society. Prestige has previously been associated with family names but prestige is generally tied to jobs for most of the developed world.

As we entered the horticultural/vocal society, surplus products were created and some people accumulated more wealth than others, resulting in inequality.

Perspectives on inequality (stratification)
-Structural functionalism : Stratification and inequality are inevitable and help society.
Problems:

• 1. It can not judge the importance of jobs
• 2. It is assumed that the stratification system is fair and reasonable
• Another problem is that it assumes that only a handful of 'chosen' people should have all the power and material wealth, rather than distributing them equitably or distributing it to those most in need.

-Conflict theory : stratification is the dysfunction of society and it is harmful. Competition and inequality are not inevitable but are created and maintained by people.

The result of inequality :

• Poor people do not have enough money to be treated so they have a short life expectancy and a high risk of chronic illness.
• Poor people do not receive the same educational opportunities as rich children.
• Children in wealthy families are more likely to leave the elite college, find jobs easier, and have jobs that are necessary to maintain upper class. And their children also go through the courses they have experienced, and the inequities are passed on.

Perspective of global inequality :

• development and modernization :This theory claims that poor societies maintain a poor society because they maintain traditional attitudes and beliefs, techniques and institutions, such as traditional economic systems and government forms. Modernists think big economic growth (modernization) is key to poverty reduction in poor countries.

• World-System theory : It suggests that a rich country benefits from other countries and exploits its citizens. The world economy is made up of systems divided into three types of hierarchies: core, semi-periphery, and periphery. It looks core countries(U.S, Japan, German etc) exploit semi-periphery countries(Korea, Taiwan, Brazil), periphery countries(developing countries) and semi-periphery countries exploit periphery countries.

2. Interesting point
 In the past, people had a thought of commonality and sharing, but over time, the perception of personal possessions was widespread and rampant.
 Since the surplus product has been created, inequality has occurred.

3. Discussion
In statement 2, I mentioned that over time the perception of personal possession was widespread and surplus product has been created, inequality occurred.
Then, if everything like house, car, money, even water and land became sharing products, inequality is solved?
Even if inequality is resolved under such conditions, can such a society (all be shared) be realized?


I wonder your opinions