SOC101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Erik Olin Wright, Lorenz Curve, Conspicuous Leisure
15 Oct 2016
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All societies redistribute materials/social rewards to individuals. Since material resources are always in short supply, stratified system ensures that those who do more or are capable of more receive more material wealth and social recognition. By rewarding deserving individuals, society allocates limited resources to those who offer the greatest benefit to the whole. Meritocracy system of rewards based on personal attributes and demonstrated abilities; reinforces that ppl achieve what they deserve; for stratified system to work, ppl must believe in this rewards system. Since stratification transcends any single generation (social position largely granted by one"s parents), system is relatively stable over time. Social mobility movement b/w social classes; few ppl able to do this though; used to measure society"s equality of opportunity. Intergenerational mobility comparison of adult children"s social class to that of parents; used to measure social mobility. Generally easier for high status ppl to obtain property/prestige/power than lower class ppl regardless of talent/intelligence.
