Liigistumine

Liigistumine refers to the process of stratification within a society, where individuals and groups are ranked in a hierarchy. This ranking is often based on various factors such as wealth, power, prestige, education, occupation, or social status. In essence, it describes how societies divide their members into different layers or classes, with those at the top having more advantages and resources than those at the bottom.

The concept of liigistumine is central to sociology and helps to understand social inequality. Different sociological theories offer various explanations for its existence and persistence. For instance, conflict theories suggest that liigistumine arises from power struggles between different groups, where dominant groups exploit subordinate ones to maintain their position. Functionalist theories, on the other hand, argue that stratification is necessary for the smooth functioning of society, as it motivates individuals to fill important roles by offering differential rewards.

The manifestations of liigistumine can be seen in access to opportunities, life chances, and even health outcomes. Societies can exhibit different forms of liigistumine, ranging from relatively open class systems where social mobility is possible, to more closed systems like castes, where social position is largely determined by birth and is very difficult to change. Understanding liigistumine is crucial for analyzing social justice issues and for developing policies aimed at reducing disparities.