Separation of the Society Into Different Segments

¶ … separation of the society into different segments by the use of castes or classes. Social stratification indicates a hierarchy of social groups and emphasizes social inequality. Social stratification refers to social groups, which are ranked one above another in terms of the power, prestige and wealth, which the members of the group possess. The members of the same group share common interests and have common identity and share a life style, which is similar to some extent, which ultimately distinguishes them from other members of the social strata. The Indian caste system is an example of the system of social stratification.

The system of caste has historically been an Indian concept and was designed to keep different castes of groups of individuals in their designed places in society. Similarly, the class system is a modern day device for use for the same purpose. Since the caste system is an Indian invention we have to discuss it in an Indian perspective. The class system on the other hand exists in practically all modern day societies and we have taken the example of the United States to discuss the class system. The Indians use a number of languages and use the word Jat or Jati to denote a group of people who had a common language or a common religion, or had similar origin or occupations, or came from the same part of the country. The same word of Jat is also used to mean varna or caste. The Portuguese and later the British used the word to mean caste with both the meanings of Jat. (Srinivas, 1966) Now we shall use the words in their original meanings in the original language. All jats in all varnas accept that the Brahman varna is the highest in the varna hierarchy and that the untochables are the lowest in the hierarchy. But within the same varna, different jats consider themselves to be higher placed than other jats in the same varna.

This breaks up every varna into a number of jats all of whom claim superiority. Thus it may be said that the utility of the varna system or varnashram as it is said in Sanskrit only defines the professions of a varna and gives it a certain social status. It does not mean that all people within the same varna are united. In the other varnas, many proclaim themselves to be superior to other varnas normally considered to be superior to them also. These sections of other varnas also adopted certain dietary habits like vegetarian food to bolster their claims. Normally Brahmins are supposed to be priests and the educationists, but not all of them found employment as priests or had the necessary intelligence to be educationists. So, they became simple farmers, which is a Vaisya occupation. (Bougle, 1992) Similarly some became landlords or businessmen, again a Vaisya occupation. The Brahmins also accepted lower castes that became rich as marriage partners. An example is the Nair women of Kerala who were rich and owners of property due to the matrilineal system they followed. Thus it is clear that the original Varna system was only a system to keep order in the system by assigning certain occupations to certain varnas have failed in the purpose, but that does not alter the objective of the system.

Now let us look at the present day United States that has a 3-class system. The first of these classes is the dependent class with a few sub-classes within it. These people are dependent on the Government help and support. They are manipulative and demanding and do not think about the future. They do not bother about the consequences of the action they take. They are "arrogantly and militantly irresponsible with little social or personal conscience or degree of introspection." (Kocher, 1999) Their philosophy is being street smart and saying that they are psychologically pre-destined to do whatever they are doing anyway.