Stratification
the act or process or arranging persons into classes or social strata
Social Equality
a condition whereby no differences in wealth, power, prestige, or status based on nonnatural conventions exist
Dialectic
any formal system of reasoning that arrives at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments
Ontological Equality
the notion that everyone is created equal in the eyes of God
Equality of Opportunity
the idea that inequality of condition is acceptable so long as the rules of the game, so to speak, remain fair
Bourgeois Society
A society of commerce (modern capitalist society, for example) in which the maximization of profit is the primary business incentive
Equality of Condition
the idea that everyone should have an equal starting point
Equality of Outcome
a position that argues each player must end up with the same amount regardless of the fairness of the "game
Free Rider Problem
The notion that when more than one person is responsible for getting something done, the incentive is for each individual to shirk responsibility and hope others will pull the extra weight
Estate System
politically based system of stratification characterized by limited social mobility
Caste System
religion-based system of stratification characterized by no social mobility
Class System
economically based system of stratification characterized by relative categorization and somewhat loose social mobility
Proletariat
the working class
Bourgeoisie
capitalist class
Contradictory class locations
the idea that people can occupy locations in the class structure which fall between the two "pure" classes
Status hierarchy system
a system of stratification based on social prestige
Elite-mass dichotomy system
system of stratification that has a governing elite, a few leaders who broadly hold the power of society
Meritocracy
a society where status and mobility are based on individual attributes, ability, and achievement
Socioeconomic Status
a person's position in society as determined by income, wealth, occupation, education, place of residence, and other factors
Income
money received, usually from a job, business, or assets
Wealth
The total value of money and other assets, minus outstanding debts
Upper Class
the class occupying the highest position in the social hierarchy
Middle Class
A social class made up of skilled workers, professionals, business people, and wealthy farmers
Social Mobility
the movement between different positions within a system of social stratification in any given society
Structural Mobility
Mobility that is inevitable from changes in the economy
Status-attainment model
approach that ranks individuals by socioeconomic status, including income and educational attainment, and seeks to specify the attributes characteristic of people who end up in more desirable occupations