Systems of Stratification

Closed Systems
• Rigid system with clearly demarcated boundaries
• Social statuses are strictly defined and determine access to
opportunities
• Social position is ascribed at birth
• There is no social mobility from one level to another
• Caste, estate and slavery are closed systems
Open Systems
• Based on economic criteria
• Social position is achieved through one’s efforts
• The boundaries are more flexible and there is opportunity for social
mobility
• Individuals may move up or down and have a resulting effect on their
status
• The class system is the best example of an open system
Slavery Whit
e-
man
agers
,
skille
d
Mixed- mulattoes,
work house
freed slaves,
ers
slaves

Black- field slaves

First gang-Second gang-Third gang
Slavery
• Slavery was a relatively ‘closed’ system
• In the society people were one of two categories: slaves or freeborn
• Slaves were regarded as the property of their masters
• Slaves were divided by their duties, distinctions were made between
house and field slaves
• Gang members were determined by their ‘able-bodiedness’
Caste System
Bra
hmi
ns
(Pri
ests
Kshatriyas
) (rulers
and warriors)

Vaisyas (merchants and traders)

Sudras (cultivators and those doing menial

tasks)
“Untouchables” (bulk of the labour force, street sweeping
and ‘polluting work’
Caste System
• It is a highly structured and closed system
• Membership is permanent
• Caste endogamy is practiced: a person should marry within his/her
own caste
• Religious rules of purity prohibit social interaction between castes
• Believe in karma and reincarnation
• The Indian government has outlawed many of the discriminatory
practices against the ‘Untouchables’
Class System Up
pe
r
Cla
ss Class
Middle

Lower/Working Class
Contemporary Class System

Upper Class

Middle Class

Lower/
Working
Class
Class System
• Classes are defined relative to one another. If you say there is a
middle class, it is implied that there is a lower and upper classes
• They are ranked in hierarchical order
• Classes have conflicting interests
• Membership is relatively permanent but mobility is possible
• There is a system of privileges and discriminations