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In states, are the three dimensions of social stratification tied to class or kinship ?

User Artaxerxe
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Final answer:

In state-level societies, class is the primary dimension tied to social stratification, with kinship playing a more influential role in smaller-scale societies. The class system in the United States delineates social status, with economic factors being more significant than kinship in determining one's class and opportunities for social mobility.

Step-by-step explanation:

In states, the three dimensions of social stratification—class, status, and power—often interact complexly with both class and kinship systems. However, they are primarily tied to class in state-level societies, especially those with market economies where resource inequities tend to be pronounced. Kinship does play a role in social stratification, especially in smaller-scale societies or within certain cultural groups, where kinship relations can define rights, obligations, and social functions. Nevertheless, in larger, more stratified societies like the contemporary United States, stratification is heavily influenced by class, which can be observed in the existence of upper, middle, and lower classes and the associated social mobility between them. While kinship still provides guidelines for social interaction, the primary mechanism of social stratification in state societies is typically economic and related to the market and individual achievements rather than kinship ties.In the context of the United States, the class system plays a significant role in social stratification with defined upper, middle, and lower classes that exhibit their own class traits and markers. Social mobility allows individuals to move between these classes, though this movement can be influenced by a range of factors including marriages, acquisition of property, education, and career changes. The dynamic nature of class in modern societies often diminishes the role of kinship in determining an individual's social class and opportunities. This is further highlighted by the various systemic inequalities, such as racism and sexism, which interact with class to create a complex structure of social stratification.

User Naydichev
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