SOC 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 24: Economic Inequality, Pareto Principle, Meritocracy
Document Summary
A system of stratification based on social prestige. Weber: status groups are communities united by positive or negative social estimation of their honor. Status is determined by what society as a whole thinks of the particular lifestyle of the community to which you belong. Ex: professors have a certain status across the board, regardless of income. Education necessary for the position, not the income corresponding to it. College president and college instructor same prestige, different income. Status also formed through consumption and lifestyle (often closely linked) People exist on the status ladder where there is a lot of social mobility. Assert their status or increase it through consumption, memberships, and more. Drive a fancy car, live in a gated community, be fashionable, or speaking in a certain manner. System of stratification that has a governing elite, a few leaders who broadly hold power in society. Pareto: a few elite leaders who know what they"re doing betters all the masses.
