Final answer:
The text's definition pertains to social stratification, which categorizes individuals and groups based on wealth, income, education, and other factors, resulting in a hierarchical system that affects access to resources and opportunities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The text's definition refers to social stratification, a concept in sociology that describes the categorization and ranking of individuals and groups within society based on various socioeconomic factors such as wealth, income, education, and occupation. This hierarchical system arranges society into layers or classes where each group shares a common social status that influences their access to resources and opportunities. In many societies, stratification is not just based on wealth, but also factors like power and prestige, resulting in systemic inequalities. Different societal systems can vary from closed systems like caste systems, which restrict social mobility, to more open systems like class systems where movement is possible. Furthermore, the influence of cultural beliefs and values plays a role in reinforcing these stratification systems.
A profound example of stratification can be seen in historical and contemporary state societies, which are typically characterized by significant levels of inequality, and where social hierarchy plays a critical role in the distribution of wealth, power, and privileges. A key component of societal development, global stratification compares countries in terms of wealth, economic stability, and power, reflecting how inequality is stratified not only within societies but on a global scale as well.