Social differentiation: what is its meaning for modern society?

In the XIX century, such views on the social structure of society were widespread, according to which the main criterion for determining social differentiation was the attitude to the means of production. In particular, Marxism was at this point of view. However, his theoreticians distinguished not only classes, but also layers within each class (for example, the petty, middle and large bourgeoisie), thereby emphasizing that inequality and alienation are characteristic for any groups of people. Nevertheless, they believed that they should be overcome, and such a class as the proletariat plays in history precisely this mission.

In contrast to class theory, a concept has developed, based on social differentiation as well. The author of this theory of stratification was Pitirim Sorokin. He developed a whole system of signs and criteria for social stratification, forming the structure of the social organism. Sorokin distinguished the one-dimensional and multidimensional stratification, that is, the division of society into such groups as "strata" by one criterion and by the whole of their totality. He shared these strata by such characteristic features as employment, income, living conditions, education, psychological traits, religious beliefs, behavioral style, and many others. Many modern sociologists consider strata to be the basic and "final" element of the social structure.

The scientists were also interested in the extent to which the destiny of the individual and the social differentiation of society are determined by the division into strata. They calculated the possibility of moving from one group to another (horizontal mobility), and also within classes (vertical), for one, two or more generations, allocating regular and random mobility among them. In the study of the problem of stratification, the Max Weber theory played a large role. He believed that the difference between groups of people is due not only to access to social wealth, power and law, but also social indicators - status and prestige. According to Weber, each group has a certain lifestyle - habits, stereotypes, values.

The study of the norms that determine the behavior of people in the social system, as well as the way social differentiation affects their status, was dealt with by such philosophers and sociologists as Lyndon and Mead. Such components of the social role as a stereotype and prestige make a person appropriately, shared by their group, evaluate a person or phenomenon (for example, what brand of clothes to buy, whether to send children to study at Yale University, whether it is necessary to have a Rolls-Royce or a Mercedes ). If a person wants to get rid of the role imposed on him, as a rule, it is considered that he has lost prestige, and social sanctions can be applied to him .

Social differentiation in such cases results in the reaction of a group, and even of a whole society, to the behavior of an individual who "shies away" from fulfilling expectations, conforming to generally accepted norms and values. Such sanctions may be prescribed by law, and sometimes they are based on custom, morality or religion. This is especially characteristic of traditional society, when even physical actions take place - beating, death, lynching or lynching, imprisonment. In other cases, economic sanctions such as fines or confiscation of property are applied . But in most modern countries they are mainly limited to showing signs of disrespect.

Interaction between social roles, status, sanctions, prestige and other similar mechanisms is studied by a special discipline, interactionism. Each such group, scientists say, creates its own "world", where the "script of life" is painted, some actions or certain clothes. There is even a social differentiation of the language, generated by the differences between large groups of people in the professional or corporate field. But such worlds are unstable. These or other social events, especially on a large scale, force people to rethink their roles and to perform sometimes completely unexpected actions. So there is a change in the familiar world, in which the roles are re-distributed.