Posting by Ji Su Park (W9)

1. SUMMARY

 Stratification is the hierarchical arrangement of people in society by inequality of scarce resources (e.g. economic, education, jobs, property, ownership etc.), race, religion and so on. Many sociologists are interested in these inequalities. Max Weber defines three main dimensions of stratification. (class, status, party) Sociologists define stratification by using socioeconomic status. Socioeconomic status can be measured by attainment, income, wealth, occupational prestige reflecting power, property, prestige. Power is ability to get loyalty of others. Property is a sum total of possessions. Prestige is the reputation related with one’s position in society.

 The inequality is originated in the transition from hunter/gatherer societies to horticultural/pastoralist societies. In horticultural/pastoralist societies, humans settled down in one place and groups grew to be large. And division of labor led to surplus of productions. The concept of private property began to flourish in the late 15c in Europe and spreading out. The ideas that there should be equality in society emerged in the 17c and 18c by Hobbes and Locke. They suggested that inequality was result of the actions and intensions of social institutions and not the will of God. But still the question of the origin of inequality remains.

 According to Joel Charon, casus of inequality is social reproduction. Karl Marx argued that the rich and the powerful have control over the means of production, and they have great influence on government power. Culture teaches the acceptance of inequality to people and People are socialized to accept their position in life.

 About inequality, there are two classic approaches.: Structural-Functionalism and Conflict Theory. According to Structural-Functionalism, Stratification and inequalities are inevitable and beneficial to society. Contrastively, People that prefer Conflict Theory argue that stratification is dysfunctional in society.

 

2. MENTION

 

  Realistically, perfect solution of inequality is impossible. Inequality is everywhere in society. We just can reduce inequality. In recent, gender inequality is hot issue in Korea. Surely, efforts that to solve inequality are good. But cases that digress from subject are so much or occurrences of reverse discrimination are so much. Ex) 메갈리아, 워마드. What's your opinion about this?