Social Stratification Journal 3 - Essay Example

Sociology Journal 3: Global Social Stratification It was not until recently that I discovered that Japan also had its own social systems where people got divided into castes like in India. I discovered this after coming across a very old article written by Nicholas Krisof in 1995. Similar to India’s caste system, Japan also had people who were above the social system and others who were below it. For example, in India, there was no one above the social system, but the emperors in Japan were above the system.

The next group was the Samurai warriors who were on the same level as the Brahmin priests in India. Below these caste systems, India had the Dalits or the Untouchables, while Japan had the Burakumin or Hinin. In both cases of people below the system, they were socially unacceptable to the rest of the society because they traditionally did unclean jobs, such as being undertakers, tanning leather or butchering. However, a look at these two countries today shows that there is a stark difference in the way they deal with their class systems.

Sadly, in India, the caste system is as prevalent as the discrimination of minorities in most countries. In Japan, such classes are no longer used to divide people. As a matter of fact, Japan and India are not only poles apart when it comes to their social systems, but even in their economic and social stability. Today, it would be hard to find a person being discriminated against because they are descendants of the Burakumin people or leaving in a Burakumin neighborhood. In India, Dalits get discriminated against even in this century (Shah, 2012).

The social classes seem to exist in almost all societies in the world because there will always be a group that gets persecuted economically or socially. Even in developed countries classes still exist as can be seen by the treatment of minorities. However, one thing that is admirable about the 21st century Japan is that it does not exhibit deep religious, ethnic and class divisions as compared to India or any other country in the world. Today, most Japanese people see themselves as a classless society (Karan, 2010).

Perhaps the only divisions notable in Japan today have their links on the socialization processes between the seniors and the young. The seniors are important decision makers and are greatly respected, an example that all other states should strive to emulate.ReferencesKaran, P. (2010). Japan in the 21st century: Environment, economy, and society. Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky.Kristof, N. (1995, November 30). Japans invisible minority: Better off than in past, but still outcasts.

The New York Times. Retrieved from http://goo.gl/lCEnQHShah, A. (2012). The structure of Indian society: Then and now. London: Routledge.