Final answer:
A class is a group of people with similar socioeconomic status based on factors like wealth, income, education, and occupation. Class systems are open, allowing for social mobility through education and employment. Membership in some organizations might also be influenced by class.
Step-by-step explanation:
To qualify as a class, a group of people must share a similar socioeconomic status which is often determined by various factors such as wealth, income, education, and occupation. Class systems contrast with caste systems by being open; that is, they allow for social mobility. People can achieve a different level of education or employment compared to their parents, and they are free to socialize and marry outside their current class, potentially moving into a different class.
A class system is influenced by both social factors and individual achievement, and often correlates with one's proximity to power. This system is typically associated with capitalist modes of production. Furthermore, organizations might set conditions based on class for membership, such as professional associations requiring certain levels of education or experience.
In broader terms, social classes are defined by three main categories: wealth, influence, and power. Members share similarities in these areas which are recognized within the societal structure, contributing to their overall standing. The functionalist perspective also suggests that preconditions must exist for collective behavior to occur within a class structure.