Question

A primary difference between rank societies and stratified societies is that in stratified societies:

A) The primary form of political organization is a chiefdom.
B) All individuals have access to basic resources needed to survive.
C) The subsistence pattern is generally horticulture or pastoralism.
D) There are formal and permanent social and economic inequalities.
E) All individuals have an equal opportunity to work their way from one level to the next.

Answer 1

The primary difference is that stratified societies have formal and permanent social and economic inequalities, featuring a clear hierarchy where social standing is often inherited and wealth, power, and status are stratified.

Step-by-step explanation:

A primary difference between rank societies and stratified societies is that in stratified societies there are formal and permanent social and economic inequalities. In contrast to rank societies, where differences in status are relatively less severe and often not hereditary, stratified societies feature a clear hierarchy in which wealth, power, and social standing are passed down through generations, establishing classes or strata that are arranged from highest to lowest based on their social standing.

Factors that define stratification vary and include wealth, income, prestige, wisdom, charisma, and age, among others. These factors influence social standing and often reinforce the inequalities of stratification. Cultural beliefs in these societies frequently reinforce such disparities, making it difficult for individuals to move between different social strata.