Power dissemination in the society is usually enabled through social stratification and accumulation of power reinforces further social differentiation

Sociologists use the term social stratification to describe the system of social standing. Social
stratification refers to a society’s categorization of its people into rankings of socioeconomic tiers
based on factors like wealth, income, race, education, and power.
Stratification is not about individual inequalities, but about systematic inequalities based on group
membership, classes, and the like. No individual, rich or poor, can be blamed for social inequalities.
The structure of society affects a person’s social standing. Although individuals may support or fight
inequalities, social stratification is created and supported by society as a whole.
What factors define stratification?
 In most societies, stratification is an economic system, based on wealth, the net value of money
and assets a person has, and income, a person’s wages or investment dividends. While people
are regularly categorized based on how rich or poor they are.
 Other important factors influence social standing. For example, in some cultures, wisdom and
charisma are valued, and people who have them are revered more than those who don’t. In
some cultures, the elderly are esteemed; in others, the elderly are disparaged or overlooked.
Societies’ cultural beliefs often reinforce the inequalities of stratification.
 Other determinants are found in a society’s occupational structure. Teachers, for example, often
have high levels of education but receive relatively low pay. Many believe that teaching is a
noble profession, so teachers should do their jobs for love of their profession and the good of
their students—not for money.
 Power distribution is strongly related to social stratification. It is a phenomenon that separates
and distinguishes individuals on certain basis such as occupation, wealth, status in society etc. on
this basis the society on its own judge and treat people accordingly.
Social stratification classifies the society into different classes under the three parameters - i.e.
property (wealth), power (influence) and prestige (status). These 3P’s are the deciding factor on how
an individual will get treated in society. For ex- a professor earning less than a plumber will be
treated with more respect because the nature of their work.it will naturally honor them with more
prestige by the society.
Social stratification leads to social differentiation because-
 It brings an atmosphere of negativity in the society where the powerful is treated with all
prestige and the powerless with no respect.
 It is correct that a person get access to certain status on basis of their hard work so they deserve
that prestige but, in some cases, it builds a feeling of greed, ego which further leads to violence
in society and inequal treatment of people by them.
The basic moral values and principles are undermined by individual once they get access to 3P’s.
 The powerful in some cases misuse their position to hurt the inferior person which creates a
very negative impact on society where no people dare to speak against the powerful.
 The power of law also becomes nil in such cases and it lowers the dignity of an individual.
Hence it is true that an individual in society who get access to the 3P’s get utmost power and
prestige but they are also embedded with the truthful responsibility of treating other people with
humility, generosity and grounded behavior.