Question

Examine the growth and nature of different classes.

Answer 1

In the Indian scenario, traditionally, stratification was based on the caste system. However, during colonalizatin, people began to give up the stratification based on the caste system and begin different occupations irrespective of their caste. The idea of hereditary occupation gradually withered away. Now the choice of the occupation became a personal choice of people as per their skills and qualifications. The class system nowadays is based on the economic system or accumulation of wealth by people.

The three main classes as per the income of people are upper class, middle class and the lower class, which are further divided into upper-upper class (very prosperous class with inherited property), lower upper class (affluence and accumulation of wealth based on personal efforts), upper-middle-class (wealth is attained by putting in a lot of efforts hence resources are used judiciously), lower- middle class (little resources acquired through hard work), lower-class (lives from hand to mouth by toiling on daily basis). The members of each class try to identify with the class above it.