Social Stratification and Mobility: NBSE Class 11 Sociology

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Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF and guide of chapter 8, Social Stratification and Mobility: NBSE Class 11 Sociology textbook, which is part of the syllabus for students studying under the Nagaland Board. These solutions, however, should only be treated as references and can be modified/changed. 

Summary

Social stratification means that society is divided into different levels, like layers in a cake. People in these layers get unequal amounts of things like power, respect, and money. This happens in every society. Some people have more wealth, power, or prestige than others. This creates different levels or ‘strata’. Social stratification is this division of society into layers where people have unequal chances and rewards.

A key part of stratification is that society is split into these layers, with some seen as higher and others lower. It’s based on giving different roles to people, and these roles are ranked. Some roles are seen as better and come with more rewards or power. This system creates social inequalities in wealth, power, and respect. Stratification is found everywhere because societies always have differences and inequalities.

It’s good to know that just being different isn’t the same as being unequal. Men and women are different, but that doesn’t automatically mean one is ranked higher. Difference just shows variety. Inequality, however, means some people or groups get more privileges or resources than others, leading to a ranking. Social stratification deals with a specific kind of inequality where whole groups are ranked above or below each other based on power, wealth, and prestige. People in the same layer often share similar feelings, interests, and ways of life.

Stratification systems can be rigid or flexible. In a rigid or ‘closed’ system, like the traditional caste system in India, a person usually cannot move from one layer to another. Social movement is very limited. In a flexible or ‘open’ system, like the class system often seen in Western societies, people can move to a higher or lower layer. This movement is called social mobility.

Sociologists talk about four main types of stratification systems, but the caste system and the class system are very common. The caste system is very rigid. In India, it’s traditionally linked to the varna system, which divides society into four main groups: Brahmana (priests), Kshatriya (warriors), Vaishya (merchants), and Sudra (laborers), ranked by religious purity. In daily life, the caste system works through ‘jatis’, which are smaller groups based on birth. You are born into a jati, usually marry within it, might have a traditional job linked to it, and it has a specific rank in the local area.

The class system divides society based on economic factors like income and wealth. A social class is a large group of people with similar economic situations. Unlike caste, class membership isn’t strictly decided by birth; people can move up or down. The lines between classes aren’t always clear. The main classes are often seen as upper, middle, working, and peasantry (farmers).

Social mobility is the movement of people or groups from one social position or layer to another. This is different from just moving from one town to another (spatial mobility). Mobility can be vertical (moving up or down the layers) or horizontal (moving between jobs at the same level). It can also happen between generations (like a child having a higher status job than their parent) or within one person’s life (like someone getting promoted). Even in the rigid caste system, some group mobility was possible through a process called Sanskritization, where a lower group adopted the ways of a higher group.

Textbook solutions

Very Short Answer Type Questions

1. What is meant by social stratification?

Answer: Social stratification refers to the unequal distribution of societal resources, i.e., unequal distribution of power, prestige and property. It is the division of society into strata or layers whose occupants have unequal access to social opportunities and rewards. Such a division of society into different levels or strata is known as social stratification.

2. What is social inequality?

Answer: Social inequality refers to the inequalities between people, such as the unequal distribution of wealth or property, power and prestige among members of a society. Such inequalities indicate inequalities in access to resources, opportunities and rewards. Inequality implies a distribution of privileges and resources, as a consequence of which some are more privileged than others, resulting in a ranking of people and their groups. Social stratification is a type of social inequality.

3. What is a social class?

Answer: Generally, a social class is a large group of people who share similar income, wealth and economic resources. Though based on economic factors, a social class is much more than an economic division because persons who belong to the same class exhibit common patterns of behaviour, life-styles and so on.

4. What is caste?

Answer: The caste is a social group based on birth. It entails hierarchy, hereditary occupation, and restrictions on inter-marriage and inter-dining.

5. What is Varna?

Answer: The varna system divides society into four varnas: Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Sudra. These four varnas are hierarchically ordered categories based on the principle of ritual purity and pollution, giving the varna system a religious basis. The varna system has an all India relevance because it is understood all over India.

6. What is Jati?

Answer: In practice, the caste system operates in the form of the jati system, and the caste system may be equated with the jati system. There are many jatis within a varna, and a varna may embrace a large number of jati clusters. It is ultimately the jati that operates at the local level and in the daily life of an individual. The jati is a social group based on birth.

7. What is social mobility?

Answer: Social mobility can be defined as the movement of individuals or groups from one social status or position to another. It occurs when it is possible for an individual or group to improve or lose their status or position, moving to a higher or lower layer or stratum.

8. What are the two types of vertical mobility?

Answer: The two types of vertical mobility are upwards or downwards movement from one stratum or level to another.

9. What is spatial mobility?

Answer: Spatial mobility refers to movement from place to another as in the case of people moving from villages to towns.

10. What is Sanskritization?

Answer: According to Srinivas, Sanskritization is the process by which a low caste or tribal group changes its customs, rituals, ideology and way life in the direction of a higher caste. Sanskritization leads to upward social mobility for the caste or group as a whole and is a process of group mobility, not individual mobility.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. What is meant by social stratification? Give two examples of a stratified system. (07)

Answer: Social stratification refers to the unequal distribution of societal resources, i.e., unequal distribution of power, prestige and property. It is the division of society into strata or layers whose occupants have unequal access to social opportunities and rewards. Two examples of a stratified system are the caste system found in India and the class system found in Western societies.

2. What are the main attributes of social stratification?

Answer: The main attributes of social stratification are:

• Social stratification is the division of society into strata, some of which are considered higher and others lower.
• Social stratification is based on social differentiation or the assignment of different positions to individuals. Such positions are ranked, i.e., some are considered higher than others and enjoy greater rewards, power and prestige.
• Social stratification implies social inequalities. Such inequalities are with regard to wealth, power and prestige.
• Social stratification is universal because it is found in all societies. This is because in every society there are social differentiation and social inequalities.

3. Distinguish between ‘difference’ and ‘inequality’.

Answer: By difference we mean the existence of certain dissimilarities between the objects under consideration. Difference by itself does not imply that one group or individual is superior to the other, or that it enjoys more privileges than the other; it does not necessarily imply ranking or inequality, only diversity. These dissimilarities are often complementary. By inequality we imply a distribution of privileges and resources, as a consequence of which some are more privileged than others, and some have under their control more resources than others, resulting in a ranking of people and their groups.

4. Distinguish between open and closed systems of stratification with examples. (’13)

Answer: When social stratification is rigid, an individual cannot move from one layer or stratum to another, social mobility is non-existent or very limited, and social stratification is said be closed. An example of this is the caste system found in India. When social stratification is elastic, it is possible for an individual to improve or lose his status or position and move to a higher or lower stratum, meaning there is social mobility. This is an open system of stratification. The class system found in Western societies is an example of an elastic or open system of stratification.

5. Differentiate social stratification from differentiation. (’14)

Answer: Social differentiation refers to the assignment of different positions to individuals, showing that diversity exists. Difference by itself does not necessarily imply ranking or inequality. Social stratification, however, is based on social differentiation but goes further; it involves the ranking of these different positions, where some are considered higher than others and enjoy greater rewards, power, and prestige. Social stratification implies social inequalities and is defined as the division of society into ranked strata or layers with unequal access to resources, opportunities, and rewards. Thus, social stratification deals with social inequality arising from differentiation, but not all differentiation leads to stratification.

6. List three distinctive features of the class system.

Answer: Three distinctive features of the class system are:

• Social classes are neither sanctioned by law as in the case of the estates nor by religion as in the case of castes; they are factual because they actually exist in reality.
• Membership of a social class does not depend only on birth; though a person is born into a class, he can improve or achieve a higher position at least in part.
• The boundaries between classes are not clearly determined as in the cases of caste or estates, therefore social mobility (upward or downward vertical mobility) is possible.

7. What are the four main social classes according to Bottomore?

Answer: According to T.B. Bottomore and Anthony Giddens, the four main classes in the modern world are:

• The upper class consists of very rich persons like the wealthy and the industrialists.
• The middle class consists mostly of white collar workers and professionals like doctors, lawyers, teachers, and so on.
• The working class consists of industrial workers, blue collar workers and those doing manual jobs.
• The peasantry consists of those engaged in agriculture and allied occupations.

8. Differentiate between horizontal and vertical mobility.

Answer: Strictly speaking, social mobility is vertical, that is, upwards or downwards from one stratum or level to another. This is distinct from horizontal mobility which is a movement within the same stratum.

9. Define inter-generational mobility with one example.

Answer: Inter-generational mobility takes place over a generation. For example, the son of a farmer can become an engineer.

10. What is Sanskritization?

Answer: According to Srinivas, Sanskritization is the process by which a low caste or tribal group changes its customs, rituals, ideology and way life in the direction of a higher caste. Sanskritization leads to upward social mobility for the caste or group as a whole and is a process of group mobility, not individual mobility.

Essay Type Questions

1. What is social stratification? Write the main attributes of social stratification. (’13)

Answer: Social stratification refers to the unequal distribution of societal resources, i.e., unequal distribution of power, prestige and property. In every society there are inequalities between people, such as unequal distribution of wealth or property, power and prestige among the members. Such inequalities indicate inequalities in access to resources, opportunities and rewards. These inequalities divide people in a society into different levels or strata. Such a division of society into different strata is known as social stratification.

The main attributes of social stratification are:

• Social stratification is the division of society into strata, some of which are considered higher and others lower.
• Social stratification is based on social differentiation or the assignment of different positions to individuals. Such positions are ranked, i.e., some are considered higher than others and enjoy greater rewards, power and prestige.
• Social stratification implies social inequalities. Such inequalities are with regard to wealth, power and prestige.
• Social stratification is universal because it is found in all societies. This is because in every society there are social differentiation and social inequalities.

2. What are the salient features of the caste system?

Answer: The caste is a social group based on birth. It entails hierarchy, hereditary occupation, and restrictions on inter-marriage and inter-dining. The following are the basic features of a caste (Jati):

• It is a hereditary group because a person becomes a member of caste only through birth.
• It is an endogamous group because a person must marry within the group.
• It is usually a localised group unlike the varna which has an all-India spread.
• It has a traditional association with a particular occupation like merchant, potter, washer man and so on.
• It occupies a particular position within the local hierarchy of castes.
• Inter-dining between castes is restricted.
• Relations between castes are determined by the rules of purity and pollution.

3. Distinguish between Varna and Jati.

Answer: The varna system divides society into four varnas: Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Sudra. These four varnas are hierarchically ordered categories based on the principle of ritual purity and pollution, giving the varna system a religious basis. The varna system has an all India relevance because it is understood all over India. The first three varnas are dwija or twice born. The Shudras are not entitled to go through upanayana or wear the sacred thread.

In practice, the caste system operates in the form of the jati system. The caste system may be equated with the jati system. There are many jatis within a varna, and a varna may embrace a large number of jati clusters. It is ultimately the jati that operates at the local level and in the daily life of an individual. There are more than 3000 jatis in India. Unlike the varna which has an all-India spread, the jati is usually a localised group. The jati is a social group based on birth, entailing hierarchy, hereditary occupation, restrictions on inter-marriage and inter-dining, a particular position in the local hierarchy, and relations determined by purity and pollution rules.

4. Explain the class system as a type of social stratification.

Answer: The system of social classes is a type of social stratification found in most societies. It divides society into social classes based on economic factors like access to economic resources, income and wealth. Generally, a social class is a large group of people who share similar income, wealth and economic resources. Though based on economic factors, a social class is much more than an economic division, as persons belonging to the same class exhibit common patterns of behaviour, life-styles and so on. Unlike caste or estates, social classes are not sanctioned by law or religion; they are factual and exist in reality. Membership is not solely based on birth, allowing for social mobility (upward or downward). The boundaries between classes are not clearly determined. This system applies to industrialised and industrialising societies like India.

5. What is social class? List four distinctive features of the class system.

Answer: Generally, a social class is a large group of people who share similar income, wealth and economic resources. Though the system of social classes is based on economic factors, a social class is much more than an economic division because persons who belong to the same class exhibit common patterns of behaviour, life-styles and so on.
The main features or characteristics of the class system are:

• Social classes are neither sanctioned by law as in the case of the estates nor by religion as in the case of castes. Social classes are factual because they actually exist in reality.
• Membership of a social class does not depend only on birth. Though a person is born into a class, he can improve or achieve a higher position at least in part.
• The boundaries between classes are not clearly determined as in the cases of caste or estates. Therefore social mobility is possible. Such social mobility can be upward or downward vertical mobility.
• Though social classes are based on economic factors, they also show patterns of behaviour, consumption and life styles that are considered to be specific to a class.

6. What is class system? What are the four main classes of modern society? (’13)

Answer: The system of social classes is a type of social stratification found in most societies. It divides society into social classes. The division into social classes is based on economic factors like access to economic resources, income and wealth. Generally, a social class is a large group of people who share similar income, wealth and economic resources. Though the system of social classes is based on economic factors, a social class is much more than an economic division because persons who belong to the same class exhibit common patterns of behaviour, life-styles and so on.

According to T.B. Bottomore and Anthony Giddens, there are four main classes in the modern world. The major classes are:

• The upper class consists of very rich persons like the wealthy and the industrialists.
• The middle class consists mostly of white collar workers and professionals like doctors, lawyers, teachers, and so on.
• The working class consists of industrial workers, blue collar workers and those doing manual jobs.
• The peasantry consists of those engaged in agriculture and allied occupations.

7. Mention four differences between caste and class. (’14)

Answer: Caste and class differ in various ways.

• A class is defined in economic terms, whereas caste is understood as a hereditary unit where a person becomes a member only through birth. Membership of a social class does not depend only on birth.
• An individual cannot change his caste and his position is fixed forever (unless the caste as a whole moves higher), making the caste system a closed system. In contrast, an individual is born into a class but always has a chance to move to a higher class by improving his economic condition, making the class system an open system because of the possibility of individual mobility.
• The caste system derives its legitimacy from religion and is based on the notions of ritual purity and pollution. Social classes are neither sanctioned by law nor by religion.
• The boundaries between castes are rigid with restrictions on inter-marriage and inter-dining. The boundaries between classes are not clearly determined.

8. Write a note on the Indian Hindu caste system as a form of stratification. (’12)

Answer: The caste system is the traditional form of social stratification in India and is a rigid form of social stratification with very limited or no vertical social mobility, hence it is considered a closed system. It is linked with the varna system, which divides society into four hierarchically ordered varnas (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Sudra) based on ritual purity and pollution, giving it a religious basis. In practice, the caste system operates as the jati system, with thousands of jatis, often within varnas. The jati is a social group based on birth, entailing hierarchy, hereditary occupation, endogamy (marriage within the group), restrictions on inter-dining, and rules of purity and pollution determining relations between castes. Each jati occupies a particular position within the local hierarchy.

9. Explain the different types of social mobility. (’12)

Answer: Sociologists identify different types of social mobility. Social mobility can be defined as the movement of individuals or groups from one social status or position to another.

It can be vertical mobility or horizontal mobility. Strictly speaking, social mobility is vertical, that is, upwards or downwards from one stratum or level to another. This is distinct from horizontal mobility which is a movement within the same stratum.
Social mobility can also be inter-generational or intra-generational. Inter-generational mobility takes place over a generation. For example, the son of a farmer can become an engineer. Intra-generational mobility takes place when an individual improves his status during his life time.

10. Explain how social mobility takes place in the caste system.

Answer: The caste system is said to be rigid without any scope for social mobility. In theoretical terms, an individual cannot change his caste and his position is fixed forever. However, as M.N. Srinivas has pointed out, there was flexibility in the caste system in the form of Sanskritization. According to Srinivas, Sanskritization is the process by which a low caste or tribal group changes its customs, rituals, ideology and way of life in the direction of a higher caste. Sanskritization leads to upward social mobility for the caste or group as a whole. Thus Sanskritization is a process of not individual mobility but group mobility.

Problem Solving

There is a family in your neighbourhood which is rich. But others do not consider it an important family because the members of that family are cultivators and work in the fields. They have money but do not enjoy the respect of others. What can they do to improve their prestige?

Answer: Prestige is one aspect of social stratification, along with wealth and power. While this family has wealth, their occupation as cultivators might be associated with a lower position in the traditional hierarchy, affecting their prestige. Since social stratification involves ranking based on various factors, simply having money isn’t enough for high prestige in all cases.

To improve their prestige, the family might consider actions associated with higher-status groups. Although changing hereditary occupation is difficult in some systems like caste, they could potentially:

• Encourage younger generations to pursue education and enter professions considered higher status, like becoming doctors or lawyers (often associated with the middle or upper classes). This reflects inter-generational mobility.
• Adopt customs, rituals, and lifestyles associated with groups that are considered higher in the local hierarchy. This resembles the process of Sanskritization, where lower groups emulate higher ones to improve their standing, although Sanskritization is typically described as group mobility.
• Use their wealth to gain influence or power within the community, which can sometimes translate into prestige.
• Over time, if the family moves away from cultivation and into other economic activities or professions seen as more prestigious, their social standing might improve, reflecting aspects of the class system where mobility based on economic change and lifestyle is possible.

Think and Answer

In your village and neighbourhood, there are different types of families. Some are rich, influential and powerful, while others are not so rich, and still others are really poor. Can you apply the principle of social stratification in such a situation? Explain your answer.

Answer: Yes, the principle of social stratification can definitely be applied to this situation.

Social stratification refers to the division of society into different layers or strata based on inequalities in the distribution of societal resources like wealth (property), power, and prestige. The situation described shows exactly these kinds of inequalities:

• Unequal Distribution: There are clear differences in wealth (“rich,” “not so rich,” “really poor”) and power (“influential and powerful”).
• Hierarchy/Ranking: These differences place families into different positions relative to each other, creating a hierarchy where some families are higher (rich, powerful) and others are lower (poor).
• Unequal Access: This division implies that families in different strata likely have unequal access to social opportunities and rewards. The rich and powerful families probably have more opportunities than the poor ones.

Therefore, the existence of rich, powerful, less rich, and poor families in the village or neighbourhood is a clear example of social stratification in action, demonstrating how society is layered based on unequal access to resources.