social stratification
Society's layered ranks
Social stratification is the hierarchical arrangement of people in a society based on factors like wealth, occupation, education, or inherited status.
The concept treats society as layered, with distinct classes or castes occupying different levels: Social stratification in America has increased as the middle class shrinks.
The term belongs primarily to sociology and political discourse.
Inherited social division
- bourgeoisieCapitalist ownership class
- proletariatLaborers lacking capital ownership
- working-classManual laborers as group
- middle-classIntermediate socioeconomic group
upper-class · aristocracy · nobility · gentry · peasantry · elite · underclass · commoner
Measurable difference between things
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- segregationForced separation by group
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
exclusion · oppression · poverty · privilege · disadvantage · racial divide · gender gap · casteism
Abundance of money
- povertySevere lack of resources
- income inequalityDisparity in earnings distribution
- capitalWealth used for investment
- assetsOwned items of value
inheritance · trust fund · billionaire · millionaire · property · land ownership · wealth gap · financial capital
Having multiple levels
- echelonsLevels within a hierarchy
- pecking orderSocial dominance arrangement
- rankingOrdered position assignment
- gradationIncremental transition between stages
pyramid · top-down · subordination · layered · levels · positions · organizational structure · chain of command
Reputation commanding admiration
- standingPosition, physical or social
- rankPosition in hierarchy
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
- respectabilityMoral and social worthiness
honor · credentials · titles · cultural capital · status symbols · deference · esteem · recognition
Rising social or economic status
- downward mobilityDrop in socioeconomic status
- intergenerationalInvolving multiple age groups
- intragenerationalWithin a single generation
- meritocracyAdvancement through demonstrated ability
glass ceiling · barriers · opportunity · American Dream · rags-to-riches · ascent · descent
Superior influence over others
- hegemonyDominant group's control
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- controlAuthority to direct
- influencePower to affect others
oligarchy · ruling class · power structure · patriarchy · subordination · governance · regime · power dynamics
caste
Inherited social division
- bourgeoisieCapitalist ownership class
- proletariatLaborers lacking capital ownership
- working-classManual laborers as group
middle-class · upper-class · aristocracy · nobility · gentry · peasantry · elite · underclass · commoner · patrician
disparity
Measurable difference between things
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- segregationForced separation by group
marginalization · exclusion · oppression · poverty · privilege · disadvantage · racial divide · gender gap · casteism · redlining
affluence
Abundance of money
- povertySevere lack of resources
- income inequalityDisparity in earnings distribution
- capitalWealth used for investment
assets · inheritance · trust fund · billionaire · millionaire · property · land ownership · wealth gap · financial capital · old money
tiered
Having multiple levels
- echelonsLevels within a hierarchy
- pecking orderSocial dominance arrangement
- rankingOrdered position assignment
gradation · pyramid · top-down · subordination · layered · levels · positions · organizational structure · chain of command · institutionalized
prestige
Reputation commanding admiration
- standingPosition, physical or social
- rankPosition in hierarchy
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
respectability · honor · credentials · titles · cultural capital · status symbols · deference · esteem · recognition
upward mobility
Rising social or economic status
- downward mobilityDrop in socioeconomic status
- intergenerationalInvolving multiple age groups
- intragenerationalWithin a single generation
meritocracy · glass ceiling · barriers · opportunity · American Dream · rags-to-riches · ascent · descent
dominance
Superior influence over others
influence · oligarchy · ruling class · power structure · patriarchy · subordination · governance · regime · power dynamics · institutional power
social stratificationegalitarianism
Philosophy of universal equality
social equality · classless society · equality · egalitarian society · communism
social stratificationsocial mobility
Movement between societal strata
meritocracy · open society · classlessness · equal opportunity · upward mobility
social stratificationsocial integration
Absorption into community life
communalism · social unity · collectivism · communitarianism · social cohesion
social, society, sociable, antisocial, socialize, stratum, unsocial, sociability, societal