Social stratification refers to the division of society

into different layers or strata based on various

criteria such as wealth, power, occupation,
education, and social status. There are several
systems of social stratification found in different
societies, each characterized by its own set of
features. Here are the characteristics of some
common systems of social stratification:
CASTE SYSTEM:
 Hereditary: Caste is determined by birth, and individuals inherit their caste
status from their parents.

 Endogamy: People are expected to marry within their own caste, and inter-
caste marriages are generally discouraged or prohibited.

 Ritual Purity: Caste determines an individual's purity or pollution, and there

are strict rules regarding interaction and social relations between different
castes.

 Lack of Social Mobility: Movement between castes is extremely limited, and

individuals generally remain in the caste they are born into throughout their
lives.
CLASS SYSTEM:
 Economic Differentiation: Class is primarily based on an individual's economic
position, including their wealth, income, and occupation.

 Achieved Status: Unlike the caste system, class is not determined solely by birth
but can be achieved through individual effort and mobility.

 Social Mobility: There is a possibility of upward or downward mobility within

the class system, allowing individuals to change their class position based on
factors such as education, occupation, and economic success.

 Inequality: Class-based societies often exhibit significant income and wealth

disparities between different classes, leading to social and economic inequalities.
ESTATE SYSTEM:
 Three Classes: Society is divided into three main classes: the nobility or land-
owning class, the clergy or religious class, and the commoners or peasant class.

 Privilege and Rights: Each class has different privileges, rights, and obligations.
The nobility and clergy usually enjoy more privileges and hold positions of
power.

 Limited Social Mobility: Movement between classes is limited, and individuals

are generally born into their respective classes.

 Feudal Relationships: The estate system is often associated with feudalism, where
the nobility owns land and grants it to commoners in exchange for labor or other
services.
SLAVERY:
 Ownership of Individuals: Slavery involves the ownership and control of
individuals as property by other individuals or groups.

 Lack of Freedom: Slaves are deprived of personal freedom, and their status is
typically inherited from their parents or determined by capture or purchase.

 Exploitation and Forced Labor: Slaves are often used for labor, servitude, and
other forms of exploitation, providing economic benefits to their owners.

 Legal and Social Discrimination: Slaves are considered as a lower social class,
subject to discrimination, and denied many rights and privileges.
It's important to note that these characteristics can
vary across different societies and historical contexts,
and some societies may exhibit a combination of
multiple systems of social stratification. Additionally,
there are other systems of social stratification that
exist in specific cultural or historical contexts, but the
above-mentioned systems represent some of the most
commonly studied and discussed ones.