RACE AND ETHNIC STRATIFICATION

Race and Ethnic Stratification

Race and Ethnic Stratification

Introduction

The USA of the 21st century is a result of 500 years of immigration together with the surviving Native American populations. The first European settlements along the Atlantic coastline in the early seventeenth century started a three-century forced relocation of hundreds of established Native American societies.

Stratification structure refers to the hierarchy of social classes in society. This book describes the class structure in the United States, focusing on the way people's class location influences their opportunities. To do this, Beeghley emphasizes three themes. The first theme is that power influences the distribution of resources in the United States. The second theme is that the social structure influences rates of events, mainly because it determines people's range of choices. The third theme is that social psychological factors influence how individuals act on, and react to, the situations in which they find themselves. (Beeghley, 2004, 10) One purpose of this book is to help readers to understand social inequality from a new angle of vision. Such an orientation implies that social facts are not always what they seem to be, an insight that is fundamental to sociology. For readers interested in society's class structure in relation to individual action and reaction.

Social Stratification in the United States by Leonard Beeghley

Beeghley uses three themes to illustrate social stratification: How power influences the distribution of resources in the United States; how social structure influences rates of events; and how social psychological factors influence how individuals act on, and reacts to, the situations in which they find themselves.

The 5th edition of Structure of Social Stratification has a used purchase price of 76.00, while the 4th edition of Structure of Social Stratification has a used purchase price of 0.41. Generally, if both editions are close together rarely is there much difference in the content of the books. The cardinal rule is to always ask your Professors first before purchasing an older edition of a textbook because it shows common sense and courtesy towards the Professor. This is a very interesting book to read and it explains the inequality of the classes in regards to advantages in the United States. (Beeghley, 2004, 10)

This book fairly cut and dry, which is exactly what I like in sociology textbooks. Beeghley takes an unbiased view on social stratification and inequalities in contemporary society. He uses cross national and longitudinal data to effectively emphasize his points, which are valid and thought provoking. The book is well written and worth enough to keep on my bookshelf. Do you happen to be taking Beeghleys class? Do yourself the favor and buy this book

Social stratification is interpreted in radically different ways according to the major sociological theoretical perspectives. Proponents of structural-functionalism have suggested that since social stratification exists in all societies, hierarchy must be necessary in order to stabilize the social structure. Talcott Parsons, an American sociologist, asserted that stability and social order are achieved by means of a universal value ...