Stratification / Week 9 / Cindy Paskalina Kweesar

Summary

Stratification is a grouping of people into a different classes. According to Max Weber, Economic Stratification can be distinguished based on their 3 characteristics, namely power, property and prestige. Power is the ability of someone to tell others to do things Property is the sum of people’s possession. The last,  prestige is his status in a society.

There are two approaches in learning stratification, structural-functionalism and conflict theories. Structural-functionalism says stratification is useful for the sustainability of society. People are grouped to be in the best position to do their respective tasks. The person on the upper class has the ability that some people don't have. Therefore they can govern the people below while getting more rewards than the people below.The conflict theories approach instead says that stratification is a bad thing for society. This system will only benefit a few people and promote inequality.

Capitalism is often regarded as something that supports stratification. Through capitalism, rich people will get richer and the poor will get poorer. Besides that, minority groups based on race, gender, and others often also become victims and this stratification system.

What was interesting/what did you learn

What is interesting is the global inequality figure that I found in this week's reading. As per the reading, almost half the human population still lives on less than $ 2.50. This statistical number prove that poverty is a global problem that must be resolved immediately.

Discussion Point

In one theory who should be blamed for the poverty, some researchers say that tradition is the problem. If tradition is abolished, will diversities in this world disappear too?