Introduction
The existence of classes in the society has a long history dating back to the 19th century in the Western Europe after the industrial revolution (Abrutyn, 2013). As such, because of the industrial revolution, classes emerged. In this regard, the classes that emerged comprised of those of the rich and those people who worked for them. However, since then different forms of stratification emerged in the society. Examples of such stratifications or classes are the ones based on gender, race, age, and religion (Bartos & Wehr, 2002). Consequently, various arguments exist concerning these new forms of stratification with some people viewing them, as advantageous while others disadvantageous. As such, this review of literature focuses on the relative importance of class and other dimensions of stratification in the post-industrial societies
Main Body of the Literature Review
According to Bell and Kahane (2007), stratification refers to a form of social inequality existing in the society. Further, the scholars define stratification as process of differentiation and interaction whereby some members of the society fall on the lower ranks while others on, the higher ones. For example, when the society ranks groups or individuals based on a certain acceptable criteria or hierarchy, stratification occurs. For example, the caste system among the Indians provides a good example of stratification. On the other hand, Camic and Gross (2005), defines stratification as a system that places people in categories based on a certain hierarchy. In this case, the scholar holds that a society can have different classes depending on the economic power, political and social power possessed by an individual. For example, the society comprises of the upper, middle, and the lower classes. In this case, the upper class refers to the self actualized people in terms of economic gains. As such, people in the upper class, live a modest life. On the other hand, the lower class refers to the poor and struggling members of the society (Carroll, 2013).
As highlighted in the introductory section, the issue of classes emerged in Western Europe in the 19th century. In this regard, the issue of classes originated from the inception of mechanized farming where people started using modern technology in farming as opposed to the traditional methods (Danesi, 2012). Consequently, there were the owners of the means of production, famously known as the bourgeoisies. On the other hand, the other class of people comprised of the proletariats. In this regard, the proletariats comprised of those people who worked for the bourgeoisies. These sentiments are well defined in the class conflict theory developed by Karl Marx. In this regard, Karl Marx believed that the current social unrest or conflicts result from the existence of classes in the society. Classes brought about conflicts as the proletariats felt oppressed by the bourgeoisies (Collyer, 2014). As such, they opted fighting for their rights, in order to abolish classes.
However, after industrialization, different forms of stratification emerged. These new forms of stratification, revolved around religion, economic class, race, gender, and political representation. For example, religiously, the society is stratified in many ways. For instance, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and the traditional religion exist. The different classes of religions exist because each subscribes to a different faith. For example, Christians believe in the existence of God, and that salvation is the only way of reaching him (Danesi, 2012). On the other hand, Muslims believe in the existence of God, and that Prophet Mohamed acts as a messenger (Delanty, 2011).
Similarly, the society comprises of different classes in terms of gender (Ford & Brown, 2006). For example, on this basis, the society comprises of the feminine gender as well as the masculine gender. On the other hand, different strata exist based on gender. For instance, there are the children, youth, young adults, the adults and the old. According to Garner (2010), the existence of these classes in the society is highly beneficial. For example, according to him, the existence of different classes helps create unity and harmony in the society. In this regard, the existence of classes helps create unity in the society since people belonging to the same class seek to live in solidarity. People belonging to the same class live in solidarity because they face the same problems or challenges. As such, members belonging to the same class, maintain unity in order to solve the problem in unison. For example, as mentioned by Karl Marx, the proletariats gained class consciousness since they were under the oppression of the bourgeoisies. Consequently, they opted to come together in unison to fight for their rights (Greenhalgh & Stones, 2012).
However, unlike Garner, Johnson (2008), argues that the existence of classes in the society is not beneficial in any way. For example, most people used the classes to discriminate against other people. In this regard, an example of such a situation is the issue of racism. Through racism, many people discriminate against others and deny them access to fundamental resources. Similarly, the issue of discrimination is evident in the social stratification based on gender. For example, many societies use the issue of gender in discriminating against women and denying them most of the fundamental things (Kurtz, 2007). Such things include access to education and political participation. Women face many hurdles when it comes to accessing education than their male counterparts. For example, most societies view education of women as a waste of resources. As such, these societies prefer educating the boy child. Examples of societies that hold such practices are those in the African region (Publ, 2004).
However, Deflem (2013), appears to disregard Johnson’s sentiments. To him classes and all the dimensions of stratification in the post-industrialized societies are very important. In this regard, the scholar takes the functionalist perspective. As such, the scholar holds that everything that exists in the society has a function it plays, and as such, stratification has a role to play too. This is because it is the coordination of these things that ensure the existence and continuity of the society. Thus, based on the scholars perspective it is wrong to view stratification as something that does not have any vital role to play in the society. Hence, to the scholar, stratification and the existence of classes play the following roles in the society. First, the existence of classes and social stratification helps provide a competitive arena (Deflem, 2013). As such, because of competition, the best people manage to rise and rich the top levels in the social strata. For example, gender stratification helps create a competitive playground for all the genders. Consequently, those who manage to give the best make it to the top class. As such, because of the best people making it to the top, the societal members are able to enjoy the best services.
However, Greenhalgh and Stones (2012), dispute these claims by arguing that stratification does not provide any competitive arena for societal members. According to them, stratification and classes exist in order to create a glass ceiling for some people. In this case, majority of the people who become victims of stratification are the poor and the marginalized population. For instance, the existence of classes encourages exploitation of women by men, especially in the political representation and access to education. This is because men feel threatened by women, and as such ensures that they oppress them so that do not climb the social ladder. Consequently, men deny women education and access to other fundamental services. For example, in the African scenario men always deny women access to education, in order to ensure the place of the woman remains in the domestic arena.
In supporting these sentiments, Camic and Gross (2005), argue that stratification is a bad vice that all societies must fight to remove. In this regard, the scholars hold this argument with the opinion that social classes and any other form of social stratification contribute to inequality in the society. Further, the scholars hold this opinion with the view that social stratification creates a scenario where one group exploits the other. In advancing these arguments, the scholars use the example of women, or stratification based on gender. As such because of gender stratification, men ensure that women do not move up the ladder no matter the circumstances. Consequently, men tend to be violent on women and even deny them chances for accessing education or participating in politics. Similarly, in the economic classes, the rich always exploit the poor so that they do not get a chance for moving up the ladder. As such, they ensure that they pay them poorly, so that they keep working for them (Delanty, 2011). Therefore, based on these sentiments, the scholars conclude that stratification is a vice that widens the gap between people and even propagates exploitation of certain individuals by others.
Similarly, Bartos and Wehr (2002), hold the same opinion although in a different perspective. To them, any form of stratification is bad and as such should not exist. In this regard, the scholars hold that stratification contributes to bad vices in the society. Such vices include theft, prostitution, and even corruption. In raising these arguments, the scholars base on the economic classes. For example, the economic classes force people to engage in these vices in order to move up the ladder. As such, some people opt to engage in prostitution as a means of accumulating wealth in order to move from one class to another. Similarly, the existence of economic classes contributes to corruption in the society, as each person seeks the cheapest means of moving from one social class to another. Further, the scholars argue that the existence of economic classes force some people to engage in robbery or theft in order to accumulate wealth for themselves. Thus, based on the scholars, stratification does not have any benefits in the modern society.
Just like Bartos and Wehr, Camic and Gross (2005), hold that the conflicts that the society currently experiences are products of social stratification. Thus, based on the scholar, in order to address these conflicts in totality there is the need for ensuring that the society is classless. These sentiments relate to the ones raised by Karl Marx in his conflict theory. In this theory, Karl believed that conflicts are inevitable in the society because of the existence of classes. In this regard, conflicts exist since the proletariats feel exploited by the bourgeoisies, and as such constantly fight in order to gain equality. These sentiments are similar to what is currently happening in the society where workers through their labor unions are constantly engaging in strikes for pay hike. In this regard, the workers engage in strikes since they want pay hikes that will enable them move from one class to another. Similarly, in the religious arena, people are constantly fighting one another because of the existence of religious classes (Deflem, 2013). For example, in some regions, in the world, the Christians constantly fight with the Muslims. Therefore, based on the scholar, in order to solve the problems there is need for having a classless society.
However, critics argue that having a classless society is a utopia (Delanty, 2011). This is because it is not possible to have a society without classes or any form of stratification. The critics argue that the existence of classes or stratifying the society is vital because it acts as a motivating factor. This is because classes offer people with the challenge for working hard in order to move up the ladder (Delanty, 2011). For example, gender wise stratification helped women realize their potentialities hence coming out strongly in a bid to attain the same level as that of men. In this regard, stratification helped women believe that they can do anything just like their male counterparts. As such, women opted to start working hard in order to move up the social ladder (Collyer, 2014).
In supporting these sentiments, Garner (2010), argues that stratification is very important in the modern society. In this regard, the scholar held that stratification is important in the modern society because it provides many opportunities to people. For example, the scholar holds that people normally work hard since they seek to reap maximum benefits existing in the society. As such, the scholar believes that poverty is a product of failing to work hard. However, these sentiments are misleading since most people believe that poverty is a product of social stratification (Danesi, 2012). For example, most people are poor because they lack the opportunity for moving up the ladder.
Conclusion
Based on the paper it is evident that the conflict theory is vital in explaining the causes and effects of stratification in the society. For example, the theory asserts that the main source of conflicts in the society is the existence of classes (Danesi, 2012). As such, the theory holds that in order to address the issue of conflicts, there is the need for having a classless society. However, critics argue that having a classless society is not possible.
Similarly, from the paper it is evident that various arguments exist concerning the importance stratification in post industrial societies. In this regard, some people believe that it has many benefits, while others hold that it does not have any benefits. For example, Deflem (2013) believes that the existence of classes and social stratification helps provide a competitive arena. As such, because of competition, the best manage to rise and rich the top levels in the social strata. For instance, gender stratification helps create a competitive playground for all the genders. Consequently, those who manage to give the best make it to the top class. Similarly, stratification helps people realize their potentials. For example, stratification helped women realize that they can do anything that men can (Delanty, 2011). As such, the women came out working hard in order to bridge the gap between them and men.
In addition, the existence of classes helps create unity in the society since people belonging to the same class seek to live in solidarity. People belonging to the same class live in solidarity because they face the same problems or challenges. As such, members belonging to the same class, maintain unity in order to solve the problem in unison as argued by Karl Marx. Despite these arguments, critics argue that stratification has many disadvantages and hence people should do anything to abolish it (Delanty, 2011). In this regard, stratification is disadvantageous because it contributes to bad vices in the society. Such vices are theft, prostitution, and even corruption. Further, stratification is bad since it contributes to inequality in the society as well as exploitation of the underprivileged people in the society (Danesi, 2012). However, in spite of these critics, it is good for people to appreciate that having classes and other dimensions of stratification is inevitable in the current post industrial societies. As such, people should learn to accommodate one another regardless of the classes, as doing this will ensure harmonious relationships (Bartos & Wehr, 2002).
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