Notes: Theory of Stratification | Sociology Mains Optional for UPSC 2024 PDF Download

 Page 1


 
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5. Stratification and Mobility: 
 
b. Theories of social stratification- Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian 
theory. 
 
  
Page 2


 
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Sleepy Classes 
5. Stratification and Mobility: 
 
b. Theories of social stratification- Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian 
theory. 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
THEORIES OF STRATIFICATION 
 
Since ancient times thinkers were deeply concerned with patterned inequalities of 
social/eco/political etc nature 
 
PLATO - three classes based on natural quality of people  
guardians-soldiers;  
auxiliaries- philosophers;  
servants- craftsmen 
 
Aristotle thought that men by nature are unequal and there is natural rank among them  
Saint Augustin, a prominent enlightenment thinker, understood inequality in terms of power, 
prestige and property.  
Social philosopher like Locke, Burke and Bentham were all aware of emergence of social classes 
based on acquired as well as inherent differences.  
Rousseau talked of social inequalities in terms of private property.  
 
Theories of stratification try to explain 
1) Basis of stratification 
2) Structure 
3) Consequence  
4) Universality/ desirability 
 
Theories of stratification can be divided into  
1) Earlier theories (Marxian/ functionalist and Weberian) 
2) Recent theories 
 
EARLIER THEORIES 
 
COMPARISON BETWEEN FUNCTIONALIST AND CONFLICT 
FUNCTIONALIST (Durkheim, Parsons, Davis 
and Moore) 
CONFLICT (Marx, Dahrendorf, CW Mills, 
Gerhard Lenski) 
Social stratification is due to need of society Ex 
DOL of Durkheim 
Due to need of certain groups ex DOL benefits 
capitalism 
Justifies SS Condemn SS 
SS brings stability to the society ex HH Risley 
and Ghurye saw caste system bringing stability 
Inherent instability of society EX Dahrendorf 
authority structure based in coercion make 
people high and low 
Highlight common goals of society which brings 
social cohesion. EX Parsons theory of role 
performance integrates individual to society  
Highlight different divisive factors. Ex CW Mills 
division among power elites and between 
power elites and masses 
 
  
Page 3


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
5. Stratification and Mobility: 
 
b. Theories of social stratification- Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian 
theory. 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
THEORIES OF STRATIFICATION 
 
Since ancient times thinkers were deeply concerned with patterned inequalities of 
social/eco/political etc nature 
 
PLATO - three classes based on natural quality of people  
guardians-soldiers;  
auxiliaries- philosophers;  
servants- craftsmen 
 
Aristotle thought that men by nature are unequal and there is natural rank among them  
Saint Augustin, a prominent enlightenment thinker, understood inequality in terms of power, 
prestige and property.  
Social philosopher like Locke, Burke and Bentham were all aware of emergence of social classes 
based on acquired as well as inherent differences.  
Rousseau talked of social inequalities in terms of private property.  
 
Theories of stratification try to explain 
1) Basis of stratification 
2) Structure 
3) Consequence  
4) Universality/ desirability 
 
Theories of stratification can be divided into  
1) Earlier theories (Marxian/ functionalist and Weberian) 
2) Recent theories 
 
EARLIER THEORIES 
 
COMPARISON BETWEEN FUNCTIONALIST AND CONFLICT 
FUNCTIONALIST (Durkheim, Parsons, Davis 
and Moore) 
CONFLICT (Marx, Dahrendorf, CW Mills, 
Gerhard Lenski) 
Social stratification is due to need of society Ex 
DOL of Durkheim 
Due to need of certain groups ex DOL benefits 
capitalism 
Justifies SS Condemn SS 
SS brings stability to the society ex HH Risley 
and Ghurye saw caste system bringing stability 
Inherent instability of society EX Dahrendorf 
authority structure based in coercion make 
people high and low 
Highlight common goals of society which brings 
social cohesion. EX Parsons theory of role 
performance integrates individual to society  
Highlight different divisive factors. Ex CW Mills 
division among power elites and between 
power elites and masses 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
MARX THEORY ON STRATIFICATION 
 
In the beginning there were no classes or stratification (Primitive communism) but later on 
production of surplus in agriculture/ private property came which led to inequality and classes 
a) Basis of stratification: Economic inequality 
 
b) Structure of Stratification:  
i. ancient (master/slave) 
ii. feudal (feudal lord/ serf) 
iii. Capitalism (Bourgeoisie/ proletariat. Currently there are no of classes in 
Germany but gradual polarization. 
 
c) Consequence of stratification: Class struggle, socialism and communism 
 
d) Universality: present everywhere but future is free of stratification  
 
Criticized by Weber - inequality will increase in future as more capitalism will mean more 
bureaucracy.  
He also says that conflict will be there but revolution is a distant possibility. 
 
Ralf Dahrendorf also says that revolution is impossibility as - 
- capital will decompose  
- labour will decompose 
- welfare state  
- middle class will emerge  
- there will be high social mobility in future.  
 
He says that stratification is based on  
- Authority (subordination and super ordination)  
- Access to authority structure.  
 
  
Page 4


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
5. Stratification and Mobility: 
 
b. Theories of social stratification- Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian 
theory. 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
THEORIES OF STRATIFICATION 
 
Since ancient times thinkers were deeply concerned with patterned inequalities of 
social/eco/political etc nature 
 
PLATO - three classes based on natural quality of people  
guardians-soldiers;  
auxiliaries- philosophers;  
servants- craftsmen 
 
Aristotle thought that men by nature are unequal and there is natural rank among them  
Saint Augustin, a prominent enlightenment thinker, understood inequality in terms of power, 
prestige and property.  
Social philosopher like Locke, Burke and Bentham were all aware of emergence of social classes 
based on acquired as well as inherent differences.  
Rousseau talked of social inequalities in terms of private property.  
 
Theories of stratification try to explain 
1) Basis of stratification 
2) Structure 
3) Consequence  
4) Universality/ desirability 
 
Theories of stratification can be divided into  
1) Earlier theories (Marxian/ functionalist and Weberian) 
2) Recent theories 
 
EARLIER THEORIES 
 
COMPARISON BETWEEN FUNCTIONALIST AND CONFLICT 
FUNCTIONALIST (Durkheim, Parsons, Davis 
and Moore) 
CONFLICT (Marx, Dahrendorf, CW Mills, 
Gerhard Lenski) 
Social stratification is due to need of society Ex 
DOL of Durkheim 
Due to need of certain groups ex DOL benefits 
capitalism 
Justifies SS Condemn SS 
SS brings stability to the society ex HH Risley 
and Ghurye saw caste system bringing stability 
Inherent instability of society EX Dahrendorf 
authority structure based in coercion make 
people high and low 
Highlight common goals of society which brings 
social cohesion. EX Parsons theory of role 
performance integrates individual to society  
Highlight different divisive factors. Ex CW Mills 
division among power elites and between 
power elites and masses 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
MARX THEORY ON STRATIFICATION 
 
In the beginning there were no classes or stratification (Primitive communism) but later on 
production of surplus in agriculture/ private property came which led to inequality and classes 
a) Basis of stratification: Economic inequality 
 
b) Structure of Stratification:  
i. ancient (master/slave) 
ii. feudal (feudal lord/ serf) 
iii. Capitalism (Bourgeoisie/ proletariat. Currently there are no of classes in 
Germany but gradual polarization. 
 
c) Consequence of stratification: Class struggle, socialism and communism 
 
d) Universality: present everywhere but future is free of stratification  
 
Criticized by Weber - inequality will increase in future as more capitalism will mean more 
bureaucracy.  
He also says that conflict will be there but revolution is a distant possibility. 
 
Ralf Dahrendorf also says that revolution is impossibility as - 
- capital will decompose  
- labour will decompose 
- welfare state  
- middle class will emerge  
- there will be high social mobility in future.  
 
He says that stratification is based on  
- Authority (subordination and super ordination)  
- Access to authority structure.  
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
WEBER ’s VIEW ON STRATIFICATION 
a) Basis of stratification:  
i. Class (people sharing same place in market) 
ii. Status  
iii. Party (Political Power) 
 
b) Structure of stratification: Rejects Marx idea of polarisation and says Europe has 4 classes  
i. Bourgeoisie      
ii. White collared property less (will increase due to bureaucratization)   
iii. Petty Bourgeoisie    
iv. Manual workers (will shrink due to automation)    
 
c) Consequence: inequality will persist but revolution a distant possibility  
d) Universality: Stratification will remain 
 
Weber on stratification and class: 
 
- Weber used class, status and party to represent three orders namely economic, social 
and political 
 
- Weber sees class, as Marx, an economic interest group and as a function of market place 
but defying Marx, he sees class as a group lacking in self-consciousness 
 
- Weber also differentiated between propertied (land) and acquisition class (skilled, semi 
skilled/ entrepreneurs and doctors 
 
- Weber differentiated status groups from class. For ex a thief might be rich but has low 
status, similarly Brahmin might be poor but has high status (Example -Nouveau riche).  
 
- Weber admits with time class based hierarchy overlaps with status based hierarchy 
 
- Stratification which is based on unequal access to power and authority cuts across class 
and status  
- Gerhard Lenski says that inequality of power will eventually lead to inequality of wealth 
 
- According to Weber, class engage in communal action (based on common sense of 
purpose, that is, with emotions) and societal action (based on rationality i.e. common 
interest).  
- It is hard for a class to develop a consciousness but when it does it becomes community 
 
- Class will not erode away  
 
 
ERIC OLIN WRIGHT has combined Weberian and Marxian theory in his work ‘contradictory class 
location’. 
He says that managers (which are neither owners nor labourers) are placed uniquely in capital 
system.  
Page 5


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
5. Stratification and Mobility: 
 
b. Theories of social stratification- Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian 
theory. 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
THEORIES OF STRATIFICATION 
 
Since ancient times thinkers were deeply concerned with patterned inequalities of 
social/eco/political etc nature 
 
PLATO - three classes based on natural quality of people  
guardians-soldiers;  
auxiliaries- philosophers;  
servants- craftsmen 
 
Aristotle thought that men by nature are unequal and there is natural rank among them  
Saint Augustin, a prominent enlightenment thinker, understood inequality in terms of power, 
prestige and property.  
Social philosopher like Locke, Burke and Bentham were all aware of emergence of social classes 
based on acquired as well as inherent differences.  
Rousseau talked of social inequalities in terms of private property.  
 
Theories of stratification try to explain 
1) Basis of stratification 
2) Structure 
3) Consequence  
4) Universality/ desirability 
 
Theories of stratification can be divided into  
1) Earlier theories (Marxian/ functionalist and Weberian) 
2) Recent theories 
 
EARLIER THEORIES 
 
COMPARISON BETWEEN FUNCTIONALIST AND CONFLICT 
FUNCTIONALIST (Durkheim, Parsons, Davis 
and Moore) 
CONFLICT (Marx, Dahrendorf, CW Mills, 
Gerhard Lenski) 
Social stratification is due to need of society Ex 
DOL of Durkheim 
Due to need of certain groups ex DOL benefits 
capitalism 
Justifies SS Condemn SS 
SS brings stability to the society ex HH Risley 
and Ghurye saw caste system bringing stability 
Inherent instability of society EX Dahrendorf 
authority structure based in coercion make 
people high and low 
Highlight common goals of society which brings 
social cohesion. EX Parsons theory of role 
performance integrates individual to society  
Highlight different divisive factors. Ex CW Mills 
division among power elites and between 
power elites and masses 
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
MARX THEORY ON STRATIFICATION 
 
In the beginning there were no classes or stratification (Primitive communism) but later on 
production of surplus in agriculture/ private property came which led to inequality and classes 
a) Basis of stratification: Economic inequality 
 
b) Structure of Stratification:  
i. ancient (master/slave) 
ii. feudal (feudal lord/ serf) 
iii. Capitalism (Bourgeoisie/ proletariat. Currently there are no of classes in 
Germany but gradual polarization. 
 
c) Consequence of stratification: Class struggle, socialism and communism 
 
d) Universality: present everywhere but future is free of stratification  
 
Criticized by Weber - inequality will increase in future as more capitalism will mean more 
bureaucracy.  
He also says that conflict will be there but revolution is a distant possibility. 
 
Ralf Dahrendorf also says that revolution is impossibility as - 
- capital will decompose  
- labour will decompose 
- welfare state  
- middle class will emerge  
- there will be high social mobility in future.  
 
He says that stratification is based on  
- Authority (subordination and super ordination)  
- Access to authority structure.  
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
WEBER ’s VIEW ON STRATIFICATION 
a) Basis of stratification:  
i. Class (people sharing same place in market) 
ii. Status  
iii. Party (Political Power) 
 
b) Structure of stratification: Rejects Marx idea of polarisation and says Europe has 4 classes  
i. Bourgeoisie      
ii. White collared property less (will increase due to bureaucratization)   
iii. Petty Bourgeoisie    
iv. Manual workers (will shrink due to automation)    
 
c) Consequence: inequality will persist but revolution a distant possibility  
d) Universality: Stratification will remain 
 
Weber on stratification and class: 
 
- Weber used class, status and party to represent three orders namely economic, social 
and political 
 
- Weber sees class, as Marx, an economic interest group and as a function of market place 
but defying Marx, he sees class as a group lacking in self-consciousness 
 
- Weber also differentiated between propertied (land) and acquisition class (skilled, semi 
skilled/ entrepreneurs and doctors 
 
- Weber differentiated status groups from class. For ex a thief might be rich but has low 
status, similarly Brahmin might be poor but has high status (Example -Nouveau riche).  
 
- Weber admits with time class based hierarchy overlaps with status based hierarchy 
 
- Stratification which is based on unequal access to power and authority cuts across class 
and status  
- Gerhard Lenski says that inequality of power will eventually lead to inequality of wealth 
 
- According to Weber, class engage in communal action (based on common sense of 
purpose, that is, with emotions) and societal action (based on rationality i.e. common 
interest).  
- It is hard for a class to develop a consciousness but when it does it becomes community 
 
- Class will not erode away  
 
 
ERIC OLIN WRIGHT has combined Weberian and Marxian theory in his work ‘contradictory class 
location’. 
He says that managers (which are neither owners nor labourers) are placed uniquely in capital 
system.  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Due to their specific skills, capitalists have to pay them well, give some autonomy in decision 
making and even go to extent of giving them some share to buy their loyalties.  
 
FUNCTIONAL THEORIES 
- Understanding any phenomenon or object in terms of function it serves 
- Object is inevitable and exist for benefit for all 
- Stratification is necessary for proper functioning of society  
 
TALCOTT PARSONS 
According to Parsons, every society has some consensus on norms and values (value consensus) 
- Conformity to norms is considered desirable and society rewards those who conform to 
these norms. 
- Strata are made according to rewards i.e. conformity. This inequality of rewards leads to 
stratification ( high position=high conformity) 
 
Parsons says that people have different capabilities so people evaluate themselves in terms of their 
ability to conform to the norms. Thereby assuring themselves that they have been given position 
according to their ability.  
 
Parsons says that social stratification is 
- Inevitable: society needs people with different abilities to perform different tasks 
- Functional: because it serves to integrate an individual with society 
 
Criticisms: 
- Parsons theory is applicable only to societies where opportunities are equal and 
stratification is open (achievement based). It does not apply to caste based society of India. 
 
- Stratification is not always functional but divisive as well 
 
- Parsons does not explore what will happen when people will challenge existing values 
(Naxalites challenging value of state) or when society will itself change (modernization of 
Indian tradition)