W9: stratification_Moon Jungun(문정언)

Summary

Stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of people in a society.

[Socioeconomic Status]
Socioeconomic status reflect three characteristics of individuals: power, property, and prestige. Power refers to someone's ability to get ithers to do his/her will, regardless of whether or not they want to. Property, as used in this context, refers to the sum total of one’s possessions as well as their regular income. Prestige refers to the reputation or esteem associated with one’s position in society.

[Social Class in America]
Inequality is long ago, and the idea that there should vbe equality in society emerged in the 17th and 18th centries in the writings of Hobbes and Locke.
First, the rich and powerful protect the system of inequality. Second, culture teaches the acceptance of inequality. Third, people are socialized to accept their position in life. Finally, police, courts, and prisons work together to protect the system of inequality. Much of society seems to encourage and protect the system of inequality.

[Dominant Perspectives]
-Structural-Functionalism ion Stratification
Stratification and inequalities are inevitable and beneficial to society. There are several obvious problems with this approach to stratification. First, it is difficult to determine the functional importance of any job, as the accompanying specialization and inter-dependence make every position necessary to the overall operation. Second, this approach assumes that the system of stratification is fair and rational, and that the ‘best’ people end up on top because of their superiority. Another problem with this approach is that it assumes that only a few ‘chosen’ people should have all the power and all the material wealth, rather than distributing it equitably, or distributing it to those who need it most.

-Conflict Theorists on Stratification
Conflict theorists believe that this competitive system, together with the way the game is ‘fixed’, ends up creating and perpetuating stratification systems. Competition and inequality are not inevitable but are created and maintained by people.

[Points of View: Micro-Meso-Macro]
-Micro-level Prestige and Influence
Stratification occurs in small groups and face-to-face interaction. Throughout our lives, wealth, power, and prestige are given to individuals who have knowledge and access to important information and influential people in society.

-Meso-level Access to Resources
Our positions and connections in organizations and institutions lie within the stratification system. This impacts how we experience life and how we interact with other individuals and groups.

-Macro-Level Factors Influencing Stratification
Our position in the international economic system in the world shapes our opportunities throughout our life and our access to important resources. Macro level factors such as policies implemented by the World Bank and International Monetary fund impact the job opportunities, prices of food, water, and electricity, and day to day life for citizens in Cape Verde and around the world.

-Consequences of Inequality
What class we belong to directly relates to our individual life chances. The wealthy and well-educated are much more likely to be in good health, and have access to good medical care than the poor. The poor have shorter life expectancies and are at greater risk for chronic illnesses.

Opinion&Question

photo copyright by: google

Stratification is symbol of inequality. some people said stratification is better and better, but i don't agree with that opinion. In this time, here Korea, we can find obvious stratification. We, ordinary people work our finger to the born, and pay our taxes. But Soonsil Choi, person close to president, very easily live idle. I think, it is example of stratification of political power.
And this is explained by link: https://namu.wiki/w/%EC%B5%9C%EC%88%9C%EC%8B%A4%20%EA%B2%8C%EC%9D%B4%ED%8A%B8