Sociologists recognize that a variety of factors, including social class, race, gender, sexuality, nationality, and sometimes religion, influence stratification

The major systems of stratification are slavery, estate systems, caste systems, and class systems

Stratification is a particular form of social inequality It refers to the presence of social groups which are ranked one above the other in terms of the power, prestige and wealth their members possess Those who belong to a particular group or stratum will have some awareness of common interest and common identity

Inequality affects how you see those around you and your level of happiness People in less equal societies are less likely to trust each other, less likely to engage in social or civic participation, and less likely to say they’re happy

Increases in the level of income inequality have a negative long-run effect on the level of GDP per capita The estimates from the interaction model thus suggest that in poor countries, increases in income inequality raise GDP per capita while the opposite is the case in high- and middle-income countries

Enough economic inequality can transform a democracy into a plutocracy, a society ruled by the rich Large inequalities of inherited wealth can be particularly damaging, creating, in effect, an economic caste system that inhibits social mobility and undercuts equality of opportunity

Six policies to reduce economic inequality

1. Increase the minimum wage
2. Expand the Earned Income Tax
3. Build assets for working families
4. Invest in education
5. Make the tax code more progressive
6. End residential segregation

Social inequality measures disparities in actual and in potential future outcomes • Social inequality accounts for disparities in perceived access to basic services • Cross-country variation of social and income inequality differs significantly

Inequalities can also have a negative impact on almost all in society Evidence gathered by Wilkinson and Pickett (2009) shows that more unequal societies experience more social and environmental problems across the whole population than more equal societies

Currently, upwards of 80% of people’s life chances are determined by factors over which they have absolutely no control Social inequality threatens the democratic project because it destroys the trust on which governments depend, and it gives rise to corrupt political and economic institutions

Effects of income inequality, researchers have found, include higher rates of health and social problems, and lower rates of social goods, a lower population-wide satisfaction and happiness and even a lower level of economic growth when human capital is neglected for high-end consumption

Three ways to overcome inequality

1. Educate middle- and high-schoolers about the American history of segregation
2. Sell homes in formerly restricted areas to people of color for mid-20th century prices
3. Create policies that bring low-income housing into higher-income neighborhoods