Get access to thousands of high quality educational resources

Describe the patterns of social stratification.

      

Describe the patterns of social stratification.

  

Answers

Francis
Steep Pyramid structure:
Some societies such as the traditional agrarian civilizations exhibit a steep pyramid structure, with the elite at the apex and the unemployed at the bottom. The upper class may include the bourgeoisie while the middle class includes the superior and petty bourgeoisie. The lower class may include the working class (skilled and unskilled) and the unemployed.

Diamond shaped structure:
Modern western societies can be represented as having the diamond shaped structure. The upper class is the apex and consists of the elites such as businessmen (the likes of Bill Gates) and industrialists. The upper middle class consists of professionals and politician s. The lower middle class consists of the working class who are the majority of the population. They include administrators, teachers and doctors. The lower class consists of unskilled manual positions, casual labourers and the unemployed.

Two class structure:
This is the Marxian conception of capital society. It has the ruling and dominant classes. In this class structure, society is seen in terms of two great hostile classes: the upper class (Bourgeoisie) and the working class (Proletariat). The former exploits the latter class by paying them less for their labour. This ensures it survival and control. Through their private ownership of the means of production, the bourgeoisie frustrate the collective and social interest of the proletariat (Jarry and Jarry, 1995).

Three class structure:
This class structure is common in many developing countirs, Kenya included. In Kenya for example, the class structure consists of the upper, middle and lower classes. The upper class comprises the ruling class and economic elites. They are wealthy and are major owners of the means of production and influential in policy and decision making. The middle class comprises those in highly rewarding careers such as doctors, lawyers and engineers. They too are influential in decision and policy making. Some are owners of means of production and share-holders in private industry.
In Kenya, the majority of citizens are in the lower class. These include non-manual workers, manual workers and the unemployed. Many in this group have little influence on policy and decision making. A case in point is the constitution review process where `Wanjiku' was allowed to speak but little of what she said has been incorporated. Many in the lower class have little or no assets. For the majority, their main concern is survival.

Three or more class structure:
This is a complex structure found in modern western societies. It consists of the upper class, middle class, working class and the underclass. The upper class consists of elites; the middle class of professionals and politicians. The working class comprises administrators and those in permanent employment and skilled manual positions. The underclass consists of unskilled manual positions and casual labourers. It also includes those in slum areas and asylum seekers.
francis1897 answered the question on August 19, 2022 at 07:19

Next: Discuss the classifications of social classes in Kenya.
Previous: Discuss the concepts of social stratification

View More Sociology of Education Questions and Answers | Return to Questions Index


Exams With Marking Schemes

Related Questions

© 2008-2025 by KenyaPlex.com. All Rights Reserved | Home | About Us | Contact Us | Copyright | Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertise