"The Riches"
A representation of Americans' desperation
- Crysty Linkenhoker
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Social class describes the different "layers" that exist in society. These "layers," or classes in society, are divisions on which civilization has been running since its onset. Many varied examples class structure exist. The governmental system of the United Soviet Socialist Republics resulted in two significantly distinctive layers, the oligarchy and the working people. In Medieval times, the "Feudal System" was the structure of social division used among landowners. The nobles of the time were the landowners, who with their family tradition, privilege and knightly conduct became the dominant ruling group. On the other hand, the peasants of this time were forced into extensive labor, rarely rising above their hardships. Similarly, in the early 1900's, racial grouping was the structure used in the American South. America was divided into distinct social classes with the African Americans at the bottom of the social ladder, whereas the plantation owners who controlled them were at the top of the social ladder.
My American Dream
Social class
Figure 1There still exists a caste system in India which greatly affects the everyday life of India's citizens, with rules that are applied differently to members of different castes. The present American system of social class, based on a capitalistic economy, arguably consists of three basic "layers": The Upper Class, The Middle Class and the Lower Class. It is generally considered true that the American Middle Class itself can be divided into several classes at this time as the income of that group has attained significant range. The social class of an individual is most commonly based on income or level of wealth and background, while other factors such as education, literacy, race and individual tendencies do affect identification within a certain class. It has historically been viewed as difficult...