Explain the difference between social inequality and social stratification. How do the nature and forms of the social stratification system influence social mobility.

Social inequality is defined as inequal distribution of wealth, status and power in society.

Social stratification is defined, on the other hand, as a structure/process which ranks (or may not) different social stratum one above the other based on wealth, status and power.

The general process is Inequality → Hierarchy → Social stratification.

Thus social stratification is different from social inequality in the sense that former is an organized structure encompassing elements of inequality, hierarchy in it. However, social stratification can be devoid of hierarchy. Example: social stratification on basis of religion divides stratums like Hindus, Muslims, Christians etc. but it becomes an inequality only when people attach social meanings to it and start ranking one above another.

Social inequality has dimensions of equality of opportunity, ontological opportunity, equality of outcome, natural inequality.

Parsons sees social stratification based on

social inequality as necessary for value consensus by effective role allocation.

Andre Beteille too distinguishes between social inequality and social stratification as he says that social stratification turns into social inequality when people start attaching meanings to it. for example - doctors are seen more important than nurses, managers more important than labourers. In closed form of social stratification like caste, social inequalities are most.

Social stratification and mobility Two main structures of social stratification -

Social mobility is defined as process of transition of individuals and also groups, from one strata to another and or intra-stratum.

Now, an open stratification system gives more chances of vertical mobility and also horizontal mobility. let us see how. for vertical mobility, it provides for equal

opportunities, meritocracy, rule-based system. Also for horizontal mobility which is done by marriage, geographical migration, change of occupation, it provides more opportunities as, example, values of caste society like endogamy, occupational allocation etc. prohibit it.

Open stratification system also allows for more inter-generational and intragenerational mobility due to freedom of occupation choice as against ascriptive system of closed form.

Open stratification system provides for contest mobility (based on competition, meritocracy), whereas closed form provide for elite mobility (mobility through connections)