Social Structure of Modern Ghana SESSION 12 STRATIFICATION - PART - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education

2016/2017

SOCI 224 Social Structure of Modern Ghana

SESSION 12 –STRATIFICATION - PART ONE

Lecturers: Dr. Fidelia Ohemeng & Dr. Mark K. M. Obeng Department of Sociology Contact Information: fohemeng@ug.edu.gh

Session Overview

In this session, students will be exposed to Social

• Stratification. Every society puts its citizens into groups based
• n certain values. This may include gender, age, class, power

and ethnic affiliation. Students would be introduced to the definition and scope of stratification, the various stratification systems and the theoretical perspectives on stratification

Slide 2

Session Outline

The key areas to be covered in the session are as follows:

• Definition of Stratification
• Description of the various stratification systems.

Slide 3

Reading List

• Nukunya, G. (2014). Tradition and Change in Ghana: an

Introduction to Sociology. Accra: Ghana Universities Press. Chapter 10

Slide 4

What is Social Stratification?

• A structured ranking of an entire group of people

that perpetuates unequal economic rewards and power in society

• A system of social inequality based on hierarchy of

groups

• Inequality exists in all societies—even the simplest

Slide 5

Systems of Social Stratification

• Any stratification system may include elements of more

than one type

– Ascribed status: social position assigned to person without regard for that person’s unique characteristics or talents – Achieved status: social position attained by person largely through his or her own effort or achievement(s).

• There are generally two types: Open and Closed

– Open: allows individuals to move up and down the hierarchical

• rder with little ease. Typical examples is social class

– Closed : mobility is virtually or totally impossible. Typical example is the caste system in India. Another example can be found in Rwanda in Central Africa.

Slide 6

Four Systems of Social Stratification

– SLAVERY – CASTES – ESTATE – SOCIAL CLASSES

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Slavery

• Slavery: most extreme form of legalized social inequality
• Varied from time to time

– Greece: captives of war & piracy main source – United states & Latin America: was an ascribed status

• Enslaved individuals are owned by other people
• Treated as properties such as household pets or appliances
• Today the Universal Declaration of Human Right is binding on all

members of the United Nations prohibits slavery in all forms

Slide 8

Castes

• Castes: hereditary systems of rank, usually

religiously dictated, that tend to be fixed and immobile

• Hinduism in India

–Four major caste called Varnas

Slide 9

The Classic Case Of India

• Tribalism breeds ethnocentrism

– “ism” as a kind of religion –devotion or sentimental attachment to an ideal

• Impact on bureaucratic procedure
• Stereotyping
• Utility- tribal association

Slide 10

Estate

• Estate

– Estate system: associated with feudal societies in the Middle Ages

• Required peasants to work land leased to them by nobles (owned

the lands) in exchange for military protection and other services

• Similar to systems such as caste & slavery positions were largely

inherited (titles & privileges )

• Overtime prestige and other titles emerged independent of

landownership

– Titles such as Priesthood, Merchants and Artisans – This led to the collapse of the Estate system and replaced by a class system

Slide 11

Social Class System

• Class System: social ranking based primarily on economic

position in which achieved characteristics can influence social mobility

– The boundary between the classes are not precisely defined – One is able to move from one stratum to another – Class system nonetheless remains relatively stable – Marked by unequal distribution of wealth, power. – Though mostly achieved is influenced strongly by family and other ascribed statuses

• Income inequality is a basic characteristic of class

Slide 12

Measuring Social Class

• Objective method: class is largely viewed as a

statistical category

– Occupation – Education – Income – Place of residence – Prestige: respect and admiration an occupation holds in society – Esteem: reputation specific person has earned within an

• ccupation

Slide 13

Social Stratification in Contemporary Ghana

• Social stratification tends to get pronounced as

specialisation increases with technological development.

• These have introduced conditions that have widened

the gap between people in terms of wealth, power, prestige and privilege

Slide 14

Influence of Education

• Sources of social stratification

– Formal education and skills it offers underlies the nature and form of social stratification in contemporary Ghana. – The role of Gender is gradually becoming insignificant

Slide 15

Political Stratification

• 2 Levels

– Traditional authority (Royalty) – Partisan politics

• Democratic elections (President and Parliamentarians,

Assembly members )

• Political appointments (Article 71 holders, Principal officers
• f SOEs, MMDCEs, Board members etc.)

Slide 16

Religious Stratification

• Orthodox Vs New Religious Movements
• Emergence of New Religious Movements and the

characteristics of membership

– English speaking founders/ leaders (academic titles) – Local language speakers/pastors and characteristics of the founders – The place of Gender within denominations – Clear division in the Islamic Religion *

Slide 17

Marriage & Family System

• Nucleation of the family
• Metropolis and Satellite relationship* (Urban vs

Rural )

• Restricted expansion of the marriage market

– Ethnicity, Social class, Religion

• Social reproduction in prestigious profession*

Slide 18

Education

• Hierarchy of primary and secondary education system

(high, middle, low class )

– Private school running international curriculum – Private school running local curriculum – Public schools

• Prospects for better

– Better Schools (local/abroad), – Prestigious occupation – Higher income

Slide 19

Health

• Discuss with examples how social stratification is

evident in access to health in Ghana.

Slide 20

Why sociologists study Social Stratification

• Its pervasive influence on human interactions and

institutions

• Inevitably results in social inequalities
• Certain people rank higher than others
• Control scare resources
• Wield power
• Receive preferential treatment

Slide 21