Definition
This is the systematic ranking of people into hierarchical layers based on characteristics such as wealth, occupation, education, ethnicity, and social status.
Social Stratification
Scenario: A Caribbean school introduces a streaming system where students are placed into “high,” “middle,” and “low” achievement groups. Administrators say this keeps the system efficient and ensures society gets the right people in the right jobs. Which perspective closely aligns with the administrator's view?
Functionalist (Dave and Moore)
How did the plantation system establish the foundations of class and racial hierarchies in the Caribbean?
Created rigid class and racial hierarchies; a small elite controlled wealth, and the majority laboured
This is the ability of individuals or groups to move upward or downward in social and economic status within a society.
Social Mobility
Scenario: A large Caribbean company owns most of the land, factories, and distribution channels for agricultural exports. Workers complain about long hours, low wages, and having no say in decisions. The owners, meanwhile, continue to get richer every year. Which sociological theory would argue that this situation reflects?
Marxist/Conflict Perspective
In what ways does colourism affect access to education, employment, and social status today?
Lighter-skinned individuals often have better access to jobs and education.
This focuses on improving one’s status, wealth, education, or occupation, whilst the other focuses on losing social status, income, or opportunities.
Upward and Downward Mobility
These two Marxist classes stand in constant conflict: one controls the factories, land, and capital, while the other must work to survive. What are they called?
The bourgeoisie and the proletariat
What policies or programmes have governments implemented to address historical inequalities?
PATH-Jamaica Social Sector Investment- Trinidad