Final answer:
Hierarchical subordination in society is based on an individual's social role, which can be influenced by a combination of ascribed and achieved factors within a system known as social stratification.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hierarchical subordination assigns each individual a particular position in society based on their social role. In the broader context of social stratification, this role can encompass a range of factors such as wealth, income, education, and power. Sociologists describe this using the term 'status', which defines the responsibilities and benefits a person experiences according to their rank in society.
Different societies prioritize various factors, which means that status can be an ascribed characteristic like gender or race, or an achieved one like occupation or education. In more stratified societies, like state-level societies with market economies, there are greater levels of inequality. Here, a class system allows for some degree of social mobility, offering individuals the opportunity to alter their status through personal achievements and choices.