Caribbean Stratification Overview The Caribbean stratification system has been influenced by its history of Colonialism, Plantation Slavery

and Indentureship. Although, most of these territories are currently politically independent nation-states, the legacy of their history have continued to impact upon their individual social structure. Caribbean Theories of Stratification Plantation Society This theory of Caribbean society, though based on the original plantation model of, can be applied to contemporary Caribbean societies. Upper Class/caste/ruling elites (traditionally white) own wealth, means of production and political power Intermediate Class/caste (mulatto/browns) usually educated, own some wealth, (desire but) lack political power Working Class/caste ( blacks) slaves, uneducated, lack wealth and political power. Academics contend that the Upper Class on the contemporary Caribbean continues to be whites. These either descents of the old planter class aristocracy (eg. The Beke of Martinique descents of French planters own most of the islands supermarkets, hotels, land, transportation, control import prices,) continue to own and control a significant proportion of the territorys wealth, and as such wield great economic, social and political power. The non-white populations continue to be situated at the lower end of the social strata. They constitute the public servants and unskilled workers in the society. Plural Society Smith argues that most societies in the Caribbean are plural societies where there exists significant cultural diversity and race antagonism Various ethnic groups have their own socio-economic institutions but not their own political system It is the cultural and race diversity that causes the discord between the cultural groups. Social inequality exists between ethnic groups. These inequalities are transient depending on the social actor. Factors of colour, religion, culture, economic background, education all influence positioning within the social strata. Creole Society Is described as a hybrid/syncretic/new society. The stratification system is informed by an ascriptive-particularistic value system (Braithwaite) Ryan contends however that the ascriptive-particularistic value system that informed the preindependence era, gave way to meritocracy in the post-independence era. Some elements of the ascriptive value system continue to exist. Closed/quasi caste stratas ----------- Flexible/Open class based stratas Colonialism ------------------------- Self-Governance

Education & Social Mobility Essay plan

Does education provide the means to attain upward social mobility in modern Caribbean society? This is a rough guide Introduction: Define/explain the concept of education and social mobility. Briefly state its function for Caribbean territories, particularly making reference to the transition from a bond/un-free/colonial society to a free to independent society. Body: Using Case studies eg Jamaica,Trinidad or Barbados for eg, trace the historical development of education in these territories and show the degree to which social mobility has been attained by its citizens. Linking theories: Pre to immediate post-emancipation into the first half of the twentieth century, Marxist theory can be used to show how education or the lack of it helped to maintain social class/caste positions throughout the BWI's. Bowles and Gintis etc... Independence to present: The functionalist expalnations can be used here to show the education policies of the newly elected independent local government and what benefits they expected to derive from expanding education to the wider population. Davis and Moore Criticisms Melvin Tumin, and other Marxist theorists to show that although social mobility was attained, the social structure of society in particular the class based system continues to exist and continues to perpetuate social inequalities in these socieities. Also highlight that students were streamed via the junior and senior secondary schools (usually lower working class children were sent to these schools). Conclusion: Highlight the progresses made by BWI societies because of education, in particular upward social mobility. Also note the inadequacies of the education system (inadequate placements, unqualified teachers or lack of continous teacher training in some territories etc... )

Does education provide the means to attain upward social mobility in modern Caribbean society? This is a rough guide Introduction: Define/explain the concept of education and social mobility. Briefly state its function for Caribbean territories, particularly making reference to the transition from a bond/un-free/colonial society to a free to independent society. Body: Using Case studies eg Jamaica,Trinidad or Barbados for eg, trace the historical development of education in these territories and show the degree to which social mobility has been attained by its citizens. Linking theories: Pre to immediate post-emancipation into the first half of the twentieth century, Marxist theory can be used to show how education or the lack of it helped to maintain social class/caste positions throughout the BWI's. Bowles and Gintis etc... Independence to present: The functionalist expalnations can be used here to show the education policies of the newly elected independent local government and what benefits they expected to derive from expanding education to the wider population. Davis and Moore Criticisms Melvin Tumin, and other Marxist theorists to show that although social mobility was attained, the social structure of society in particular the class based system continues to exist and continues to perpetuate social inequalities in these socieities. Also highlight that students were streamed via the junior and senior secondary schools (usually lower working class children were sent to these schools). Conclusion: Highlight the progresses made by BWI societies because of education, in particular upward social mobility. Also note the inadequacies of the education system (inadequate placements, unqualified teachers or lack of continous teacher training in some territories etc... )