Explain the features and dimensions of a society.
Answers
Answer:
Meaning of Social Stratification:
In addition to the aforesaid phenomena of social inequality, there is another type of social inequality which is sociologically more important. These are horizontal divisions of society into various social strata, each stratum marked by socially recognised upper or lower status, more or less, on a permanent basis.
The people who belong to each such stratum constitute a social class. Morris Ginsberg defines social classes “as portions of the community, or collections of individuals, standing to each other in the relation of equality, and marked off from other portions by accepted or sanctioned standards of inferiority and superiority”. The society in which divisions into such social classes exists is known as a stratified society.
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According to Maclver and Page, social stratification implies three features:
(i) A hierarchy of status groups;
(ii) The recognition of the superior-inferior stratification; and
(iii) Some degree of permanence of the structure.
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“Borrowed by analogy from the earth sciences, the term ‘social stratification’ has come into general sociological use only since about 1940. However, in contrast to its earth-science usage the sociological usage of the concept of stratification often includes, implicitly or explicitly, some evaluation of the higher and lower layers, which are judged to be better or worse according to a scale of values”.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the nature of social stratification, we may note that the social positions assigned to the various social strata are unequal with regard to property, power, social evaluation and psychic gratification.
‘Property’ refers to the rights one enjoys over goods and services. Thus, one’s income or income-yielding wealth may be considered to be his property. Power’ refers to one’s ability to fulfill one’s needs or meet one’s demands.
Obviously, ‘power’ is inextricably mixed up with property. Greater amount of property means greater power, and less amount of property means less power. ‘Social evaluation’ means the prestige or honour that a person enjoys in the estimation of the society by virtue of his belonging to a particular social stratum.
‘Social evaluation’ thus means that people belonging to a particular stratum may enjoy greater prestige and honour in comparison with people belonging to another stratum. ‘Psychic gratification’ (applicable to people belonging to higher social classes) refers to the satisfaction or pleasure that a person has on account of his possession of power, prestige or property.
Characteristics of Social Stratification:
The following characteristics of social stratification may be noted:
The first characteristic is that it is social in nature.
The social aspect of stratification may be explained with reference to the following:
(a) To say that stratification is social is to emphasise the obvious that one is not talking about biologically caused inequalities,
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(b) The distribution of rewards is governed exclusively by social norms or conventions which may prevail in a society,
(c) The term ‘social’ implies the continuity of these norms affected mainly by socialisation. The division of society into hierarchical status groups is not simply a one-generation affair; it continues from generation to generation.
This can be explained, in part, by the processes of socialisation in terms of which every child is indoctrinated with the values of the class and such values become, in course of time, a part and parcel of his personality structure,
(d) Stratification is dynamic in nature, mainly due to dynamic social forces. Since socialisation is not always perfect and since conformity is not uniform, and further since the values which the society upholds do not remain the same over time, the structure and nature of stratification prevalent in a society always undergo changes,
(e) Social stratification is closely connected with other social institutions. It is affected by and, at the same time, has effects upon such matters as marriage, religion, education, economic structure, political system, etc.
Answer:
1. Likeness:
Likeness of members in a social group is the primary basis of their mutuality. May be in the beginning assumed or real common lineage, tribal affinity, family benefit or the compactness due to a common to time inculcated between and among the members in the group the feeling of likeness. Likeness means mutuality, and that means Society.
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Maclver points out, “Comradeship, intimacy, association of any kind or degree would be impossible without some understanding of each by the other, and that understanding depends on the likeness which each apprehends in the other. ‘Likeness is the one element which must have strongly stimulated the group feelings in bringing men, women and children together. Likeness is the link-up for mutuality.
2. The Reciprocal Awareness:
Likeness is generative of reciprocity. Once some are aware of the mutual likeness, they, certainly differentiate against those who are not like them. The problem of likes and dislikes was concomitant to the social growth. Consciousness of this kind, alone could make sense of likeness. All social action is based on reciprocal response. This alone, makes possible, the we-feeling.
3. Differences:
Sense of likeness in not always sufficient. It alone is not adequate for social organisation. This does not exclude diversity or variation. The social structure of humanity is based on the family which rests upon the biological differences between the sexes, viz, men and women. The economic structure of society is based upon division of labour in which the professions and economic activities of people are different or dissimilar. The culture of society prospers with the differences in thoughts ideals, viewpoints, etc. No two individuals are alike in their nature.
They differ from each other in respect of their interests, capacities, abilities and tendencies etc. These differences do not imply mutual conflict; instead; by it the organisation of society is further strengthened. A 100 per cent organised society is not possible.
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It is a myth. Society to run smoothly there must be some differences. If people were exactly alike their social relationship would be very much limited. There would be little reciprocity, little give and take. They would contribute very little to one another.
A society based exclusively on likeness or uniformity is bound to loose in socialites. Life would be boring, monotonous, prosaic and uninteresting if differences are not present. We cannot imagine a society in which all people are adults or all old or all young. Having realised the chaotic state of society, the importance of differences will be apparent.
Differences subordinate to likeness:
Society means likeness but the contrary of the statement is not true. Differences is necessary to society but it by itself does not create society. Difference, is subordinate to likeness. Maclver says “Primary likeness and secondary differences create the greatest of all social institutions- the division of labour”. There were evolved conflicting management mechanism to resolve the differences, yet despite it, these were subordinated to the good of the totality.
4. Interdependence:
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Society implies interdependence. It is another essential element to constitute society. It is not possible for human being to satisfy his desire in isolation