The Origin of the Development of Sociology in the Caribbean, Research Paper Example

Sociology developed in the Caribbean from the 1950s to the 1970s during which time Caribbean intellectuals such as Orlando Patterson, Lloyd Brawaithe, and George Roberts carried out intensive and extensive research on Caribbean life, culture and practises.  Their objective was to understand the indigenous Caribbean cultures and to develop an indigenous sociological discourse  for the Caribbean people.  Today Caribbean sociology is quite well developed. (Origins of Caribbean Culture 2011).

Theorists set about defining Caribbean culture and found that there was not one Caribbean culture but that there were several, which is not surprising since the Caribbean is made up of quite a few islands which economically range from abject poverty to a playground for the rich.  Politically they are also quite diverse, some being colonies of various nations while others are independent.  Their governments also differ greatly in their belief systems, from democratic to dictatorships and communism.  Furthermore, English is not the language of all Caribbean islands.

The term, “culture,” is, however, not only applicable to the Caribbean.  Sir Edward Taylor defined it as “that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society (Culture 2011).  The Interactionists, refer to it as “systems of human meaning” (ibid).  Culture may also refer to shared beliefs, knowledge and values of the members of a society and be passed down from generation to generation through the process of socialization.

Social stratification and mobility are present in the Caribbean as they are in virtually all parts of the world.  It refers to the categorization of people into groups with specific commonalities such as economic status, prestige, race, religion, as well as some other characteristics.  Particularistic values most often create closed stratification systems, while universalistic values create a more transient and open stratification system (ibid).

Closely related to stratification is mobility, which can be upward, downward, or horizontal.  “In the Caribbean, social mobility is unique since individuals may hold multiple stations within the same social strata” (Definition 2011).  This comes about because “most Caribbean territories are characterized by stratification structure that is rooted in a synthesized  universalistic and particularistic value system” (Ibid).  In the universalistic-also known as the meritocratic value system—a person’s rank may be different than in a particularistic—also known as traditional.

Stratification, while not always palatable to all people, nonetheless serves some useful purposes.  Functionalist theorists consider three main questions when theorizing about social stratification; namely, i) What is the function of social stratification? ii) What is the function of a class system? and iii)  Why is social stratification necessary?

Functionalists believe  social stratification helps to maintain social order, ensures that all roles are filled, and that they are filled by those best able to fulfill them.  As to the functions of a class system, it classifies and ranks roles according to importance and merit and encourages people to invest time and energy in education and in obtaining skills to fulfill more important roles.  Finally, functionalists believe that social stratification is essential for society to continue to exist.

The functionalist theory has mostly positive points, but also negative ones. While many people do not even make it to the bottom rung of the ladder, which is regrettable, the ones that make it to the top, if they have done so based on their education, personality, hard work and dedication, are likely to be the best equipped to lead governments, become life-saving health specialists and researchers.  To get to that level, however, they may, as students, have held part-time jobs while attending university and lived frugally. They studied and worked hard.  They postponed immediate gratification of things they would have like to possess and to have done.  They, however, kept focused not only on the work they hoped to obtain not only for its own sake, but also for the money and the prestige that it brought.  Without those incentives, it would not be functional for them to forego so much without the hope of someday obtaining a good life.

It is true that a generous pay cheque and prestige often come to people who by an accident of birth (ascribed status) have it all and do not even have to work.  Furthermore, most jobs that require risking one’s life (soldiers, firefighters, police persons) are not paid much and do not rank right on the social stratification scale.  However, overall, the functionalist theorists have the best explanations for a functional and thriving society.

The Caribbean stratification system was influenced and continues to be influenced by its history of indentureship, plantation slavery, and colonialism. The plantation theory, based on the original plantation model but still valid today, has a three tier stratification system; namely, the

Upper class/caste/ruling elites (traditionally white) have political power, money, and the means of production.  Intermediate class/caste (mulatto browns) people are usually educated and own some wealth but lack political power.  The lower class/caste (blacks) are slaves, uneducated, and lack political power and wealth. Academics say that the upper class of the contemporary Caribbean continue to be white and the non-whites are at the lower end of the scale working as public servants and unskilled workers. It is difficult to comprehend that there are still slaves today in the Caribbean.  This theory is somewhat reminiscent of Marxism with its means of production. (Caribbean Stratification 2011).

According to the Plural Society Theory, most societies in the Caribbean are plural societies in which there exists significant cultural diversity and race antagonism. Color, religion, education, economic background, culture, and economic background all influence one’s position in the social stratification hierarchy, something with which this student agrees as a result of  experience in the Caribbean

The Creole Society “is described as a hybrid/syncretic new society” (ibid) and it has an ascriptive/particularistic value system, which theorist Ryan says gave way to meritocracy in the post independence era.

Yes, Sociology in the Caribbean has come a long way since its beginnings in the 1950s – 1970s.

Bibliography

Cape Sociology.  “Origins of Caribbean Sociology.”  http://capesociology.org (accessed December 21, 2011).

Caribbean Stratification. http://capesociology.org (accessed December 21, 2011).

Featured Cape Sociology Resources. “Culture.”  http://capesociology.org (accessed December 21, 2011).

Featured Cape Sociology Resources. “Definition.”  http://capesociology.org (accessed December 21, 2011).

Featured Cape Sociology Resources. “Functions of Stratification.”  http://capesociology.org (accessed December 21, 2011).