Social class, also known as social stratification, is the hierarchical arrangement of individuals into social groups based on wealth, power, or status. It is a fundamental concept in sociology, used to explain how societies and their members are structured. Social class has been studied for centuries, and its characteristics have changed over time.
Definition
Social class is a system of stratification based on income, wealth, power, and status. It is an organized hierarchy in which individuals or groups are placed in a certain rank or position based on their wealth, power, or status. People in a higher social class typically have greater access to resources, higher standards of living, and more opportunities than those in lower social classes.
History
Social class has been studied for centuries, with its roots stretching back to ancient civilizations. In the early days, people were divided into two classes: royalty and commoners. As societies developed, social classes became more complex and stratified. In feudal Europe, for example, there were three basic classes: the aristocracy, the middle class, and the peasantry. In the United States, the traditional class system consisted of the upper class, middle class, and working class.
Today, social class is more complex than ever before. It is no longer based on a fixed hierarchy, but rather on a variety of factors such as income, wealth, occupation, education, and lifestyle. This has created a more fluid system of social stratification. In the United States, for example, there are five primary classes: upper class, upper middle class, middle class, lower middle class, and lower class.
Characteristics
Social class is characterized by a number of factors, including income, wealth, occupation, education, and lifestyle. People in higher social classes usually have higher incomes and more wealth than those in lower classes. They also tend to have more prestigious occupations and higher levels of education. In addition, they often have access to resources and opportunities that are not available to those in lower classes.
Conclusion
Social class is a fundamental concept in sociology and is used to explain how societies and their members are structured. It is characterized by a number of factors, including income, wealth, occupation, education, and lifestyle. Social class has been studied for centuries, and its characteristics have changed over time.
References
Arrow, K. (1973). Social choice and individual values (2nd ed.). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Bourdieu, P. (1984). Distinction: A social critique of the judgement of taste. London: Routledge.
Davies, J. B. (2013). Inequality and the sociology of social class. Annual Review of Sociology, 39, 241-265. doi: 10.1146/annurev-soc-071811-145512
Kahlil, S. (2018). Social class: Definition, theories, and implications. Retrieved from https://sociologydictionary.org/social-class/
Milanovic, B. (2016). Global inequality. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.