Caste and Class: The "Unwritten Rules" of Social Stratification in Ancient and Modern Societies

December 05, 2024

Caste and Class: The "Unwritten Rules" of Social Stratification in Ancient and Modern Societies

Hello everyone, today we're going to talk about social stratification and how it has manifested throughout history. Whether in ancient India, Mongolia, Japan, or modern-day North Korea, the concept of social hierarchy appears to be a recurring theme. The specific forms may differ, but the fundamental reasons behind these systems are essentially the same: social stability and resource distribution. In this discussion, we'll explore these historical forms of social stratification and also try to understand why these systems existed, and who they served. What are the deeper meanings of these "unwritten rules"?

Ancient India: The Divinely Ordained Hierarchy

Let’s start with ancient India, where the caste system (Varna) is one of the most famous forms of social stratification in the world. The origins of this system are very ancient, dating back to around 1500 BCE. According to the Vedas, the ancient sacred texts of Hinduism, the world was created by the god Brahma, who divided society into four main categories based on his divine will. These categories were:

Brahmins: Those born from the head, responsible for religious, cultural, and intellectual duties.
Kshatriyas: Those born from the arms, responsible for governance, defense, and the military.
Vaishyas: Those born from the thighs, responsible for agriculture, commerce, and trade.
Shudras: Those born from the feet, responsible for manual labor and service.

In addition, there were the Dalits, once known as the "untouchables," who were at the very bottom of the social ladder, often relegated to tasks considered impure, such as cleaning, handling corpses, and other forms of menial labor.

Why did ancient India need to implement such a rigid hierarchical system? The answer is simple — social order. Ancient India was an agrarian society with limited resources, particularly land and labor. The caste system was created to ensure that everyone knew their place in society and fulfilled their role without conflict. By legitimizing this system through religious teachings, the hierarchy became deeply ingrained, allowing the upper castes to rationalize their privileged position as part of divine will, while the lower castes, especially Dalits, had little chance of social mobility.

The caste system remained entrenched for thousands of years, and even though it was abolished by the Indian Constitution in the 20th century, caste-based discrimination still persists in some parts of India today.

Mongolian Steppe: Hierarchy Based on Military Merit

Next, let’s move to ancient Mongolia. The social hierarchy in Mongolia was entirely different from India's caste system. In Mongolia, social stratification was largely based on bloodline, military achievement, and personal merit. At the top were the Noyans, the aristocratic elite, particularly the family of Genghis Khan, who was seen as the "chosen one" by divine fate. Genghis Khan, with his exceptional military strategy and leadership, managed to unite the Mongol tribes and create a massive empire.

Why did the Mongols need a hierarchical structure? Mongolia was a nomadic society that relied on military prowess and the vast steppe for resources. The distribution of land, wealth, and military positions was based on personal merit and military success. This allowed the Mongols to rapidly expand their empire while maintaining control over their population.

Unlike the rigid caste system in India, Mongolian social stratification was more flexible. If a common herder proved his valor on the battlefield, he could rise through the ranks and become part of the aristocracy. This dynamic structure helped fuel the Mongol Empire’s rapid military conquests and ensured that those who were capable were rewarded with status and resources.

Feudal Japan: The Four-Class System of Samurai and Peasants

Moving on to Japan, the social structure here was also hierarchical, but it followed a very different pattern. The "Shinōkōshō" system, which categorized people into four classes, was most prominent during the Edo period (1603-1868). These classes were:

Samurai: The warrior class, who held political power and controlled the military.
Farmers: The agricultural class, responsible for producing food and sustaining the economy.
Artisans: Skilled workers who made tools, crafts, and other goods.
Merchants: Traders and businesspeople, who, despite their wealth, were at the bottom of the social order.

In this system, the samurai held the most prestige, while the merchants, despite often being wealthier, occupied the lowest rung of the social ladder. Why did Japan maintain such a rigid system? The feudal society required a clear division of labor to maintain stability and ensure efficient management of resources. The samurai were the ruling class, responsible for governance and defense, while the farmers provided the essential agricultural output. The merchants played a crucial role in the economy but were not granted high status because their wealth did not directly contribute to the state's military or agricultural needs.

This social order was highly static, meaning upward mobility was difficult. Despite their wealth, merchants were considered "lower" because their success came from commerce rather than noble birth or martial valor. However, the system worked to maintain a stable and well-ordered society, with each class knowing its place and responsibilities.

Modern North Korea: The “Songbun” System

Let’s now look at modern-day North Korea and its "Songbun" system. The Songbun is essentially a form of political classification, where individuals are categorized into different classes based on their family background, political loyalty, and history. There are three main categories:

Core Class: Those loyal to the regime, such as high-ranking government officials and military leaders.
Wavering Class: Those with a less certain loyalty, often normal citizens who are not directly involved in political matters.
Hostile Class: Those whose family history is associated with perceived enemies of the regime, often facing extreme hardships and limited opportunities.

Why does North Korea maintain such a system? The primary reason is to maintain regime stability. A loyal population is necessary to keep the government in power. The Songbun system serves as a method of ensuring that political loyalty is rewarded and potential dissent is suppressed. By tightly controlling resources like education, employment, and social mobility based on an individual’s classification, the regime ensures that its supporters thrive while its detractors are marginalized.

Why Stratify? The Core Reasons Behind Social Hierarchy

Across these different societies — India, Mongolia, Japan, and North Korea — the question remains: why did they need to implement such hierarchical structures? The answer can be summarized in two key points: resource distribution and social order.

Resource Distribution: Resources, whether land, power, or wealth, are always limited. A stratified system ensures that resources are distributed in a way that keeps the system running smoothly. The elite have access to more resources, while lower classes provide labor or services.
Social Order: Stratification creates a clear structure where everyone knows their place, reducing internal conflict and preventing chaos. When people understand their role in society, there’s less risk of rebellion or instability.

But these systems also serve another purpose — they maintain the power of the elite. Whether it's the Brahmins in India, the Noyans in Mongolia, or the Kim family in North Korea, these systems allow the upper classes to maintain control over society and its resources.

The Legacy of Stratification: Hidden Hierarchies in Modern Society

You might say, “Well, that’s all in the past. We’ve moved on from this sort of thing.” But is that really true? While the forms of stratification may have changed, hidden hierarchies still exist. Think about the inequalities in modern society — the disparities in access to education, wealth, and opportunities. These are modern-day equivalents of the ancient caste systems, where your background, education, or family history often determines your future success.

Breaking down these invisible barriers requires more than just legal equality; it requires conscious efforts to dismantle entrenched systems that perpetuate inequality. Only then can society become truly equitable, where people are judged based on their abilities and not their birthright or family background.

So, that's it for today’s discussion on social stratification through history. It’s clear that while the structures may change, the fundamental reasons behind them remain remarkably consistent — to maintain order, control resources, and ensure stability for the ruling elite. If you found this topic interesting, don't forget to like, comment, and share. We’ll continue exploring history’s fascinating lessons next time!

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