Summary of "Бурбаева Перизат лекция 4 ОД 2024"

Summary of Lecture 4: Social Structure and Social Stratification

Speaker: Бурбаева Перизат

Main Topics Covered

Social Structure
Social Stratification
Social Mobility
Types of Stratification Systems

1. Social Structure

Definition: Social structure is the organized system of interconnected social elements that make up society. It determines how society is organized and how its components interact.

Main Components of Social Structure:

Social Groups: Collections of people interacting based on shared interests, goals, or characteristics.
- Primary groups: Close, long-term relationships (e.g., family, close friends).
- Secondary groups: Based on common interests but less personal (e.g., classmates, colleagues).
- Formal groups: Have clear organizational structure and rules.
- Informal groups: Friendly associations without formal structure.
- Reference groups: Serve as standards or role models.
- Social networks: Online or offline networks of followers, friends, etc.
Social Institutions: Stable, organized patterns of social behavior that regulate various spheres of life. Examples include family, state, religion, education, economics, science, church.

Functions of Social Institutions:

- Regulation of behavior through norms and rules, providing order and predictability.  
- Socialization: Transmitting cultural norms and values across generations (e.g., family, schools).  
- Social integration: Promoting cohesion and shared values in society.  
- Satisfying societal needs: Institutions arise to meet societal demands; if needs disappear, institutions weaken or vanish.

Institutionalization: The process by which repeated social practices become established as norms, roles, and rules, eventually forming social institutions. Examples include the formalization of sports (Olympics) or political movements (political parties).
Social Strata: Categories of people occupying different positions in social hierarchy, based on criteria like economic status, profession, education, etc.

2. Social Stratification

Definition: The division of society into layers or classes characterized by unequal access to resources, power, and privileges.

Key Concept: Inequality lies at the heart of social stratification. It refers to uneven distribution of resources, opportunities, and rights.

Types of Inequality: Economic, social, political, cultural, gender, racial, etc.

Why Study Inequality:

To understand social structure formation and functioning.
To analyze discrimination and resource distribution.
To comprehend societal organization and its impact on individuals.

Theories of Social Stratification:

Functionalism (Herbert Spencer, Talcott Parsons): Stratification is necessary for societal stability and motivates people to achieve roles.
Symbolic Interactionism: Focuses on how inequality is created and maintained through social interactions and symbolic meanings.
Conflict Theory (Karl Marx, Max Weber): Stratification causes conflict; Marx emphasized economic class conflict (bourgeoisie vs proletariat), Weber expanded criteria to include power and status.

Stratification Criteria:

Economic (income, wealth, property)
Social status (prestige, education, profession)
Power (ability to influence decisions)

Social Stratification Profiles:

Typical pyramid shapes show distribution of classes:
- Third World countries often have a large lower class, small middle and upper classes (unstable).
- Stable societies tend to have a diamond shape: small elite (~10%), large middle class (~80%), and small lower class (~10%).
The middle class is crucial for societal stability.

Functions of Social Stratification:

Distribution of resources (material and intangible).
Motivation and incentive for individuals to improve their status.
Social integration by regulating roles and expectations.

3. Social Mobility

Definition: The process of changing social position within the social hierarchy, either upward or downward.

Types of Social Mobility (Terim Sorokin):

Vertical Mobility: Movement up or down the social ladder (e.g., promotion or bankruptcy).
Horizontal Mobility: Movement within the same social level without status change (e.g., changing jobs within the same profession).
Intergenerational Mobility: Changes in social status between parents and children.
Intragenerational Mobility: Changes in social status within an individual’s lifetime.
Individual vs Group Mobility: Movement by individuals or entire groups.

Factors Influencing Social Mobility:

Education (higher education often leads to better mobility).
Familiarity with the environment and new knowledge.
Economic conditions.
Social connections (family, friends).
Political and legal environment (open societies have higher mobility).

Theories of Social Mobility:

Structural Theory: Mobility depends on socio-economic structural changes (e.g., job creation).
Institutional Theory: Role of institutions (education, labor market, legal system) in enabling mobility.
Human Capital Theory: Investment in education and skills increases individual value and mobility.
Theory of Social Strata and Privileges: Mobility is limited by existing privileges and social costs protecting elite groups.

4. Types of Stratification Systems

Physical and Geographical: Based on inherent traits like gender, age, race, strength, intelligence. Historically important (e.g., physical strength in ancient times).
Slave System: Extreme inequality with slaves deprived of rights and freedom; owners at the top.
Caste System: Social positions are inherited and movement between castes is prohibited (e.g., traditional Indian society).
Estate System: Historical European system dividing society into estates with limited mobility (e.g., nobility, clergy, peasants).
Class System: Modern stratification based on economic and social factors with some social mobility (upper, middle, lower classes).
Ethnic/Political System: Based on political power and status, typical in some societies like Kazakhstan; social position depends on political affiliation and influence.
Cultural-Symbolic Stratification: Status determined by cultural capital, symbolic factors like language, style, group membership.
Cultural-Normative Stratification: Based on respect and prestige arising from lifestyle, work type, consumer tastes, and cultural norms.

Summary of Key Lessons

Society is structured through groups, institutions, and strata.
Social institutions regulate behavior, fulfill societal needs, and maintain social order.
Social stratification is the hierarchical division of society based on inequality.
Inequality is central to understanding social structure and stratification.
Social mobility allows movement within the social hierarchy and is influenced by education, economy, social connections, and political systems.
Different societies have different stratification systems, ranging from rigid (caste) to more fluid (class).
Understanding these concepts helps analyze social dynamics, stability, and change.

Speakers / Sources

Бурбаева Перизат (main lecturer)
References to sociologists and theorists:
- Herbert Spencer
- Talcott Parsons
- Karl Marx
- Max Weber
- Terim Sorokin
- Wilfredo Pareto
- Valery Radaev