Write a short note on what is the difference between class and caste ?

Class and caste are two distinct systems of social stratification, each with its own characteristics and implications for societal organization and individual mobility.

Class:
Class is primarily based on socioeconomic factors such as wealth, income, occupation, and education. It is a fluid and dynamic system that allows for some degree of social mobility, as individuals can move up or down the social ladder based on their achievements, opportunities, and economic status. Class divisions are often influenced by economic inequalities and disparities in access to resources, with social classes ranging from the upper class (wealthy elites) to the working class (blue-collar workers) and the underclass (those living in poverty).

Caste:
Caste, on the other hand, is a hierarchical system of social stratification prevalent in traditional Indian society. It is based on birth and hereditary membership in specific social groups, known as castes, which are ranked in a rigid hierarchy. Caste is determined by factors such as ancestry, occupation, and social status, with little to no possibility of upward mobility or inter-caste marriage. Each caste is assigned specific roles, duties, and privileges, and social interactions are governed by strict rules of purity and pollution.

Key Differences:

1. Basis of Stratification: Class is primarily based on socioeconomic factors such as wealth and occupation, while caste is based on birth and hereditary membership in specific social groups.
2. Mobility: Class allows for some degree of social mobility, whereas caste is largely rigid and hierarchical, with limited mobility between castes.
3. Economic vs. Social: Class primarily focuses on economic status and opportunities, while caste encompasses social status, religious purity, and cultural practices.
4. Inheritance: Class status is not necessarily inherited, whereas caste status is passed down from one generation to the next.

Overall, while both class and caste systems serve to stratify societies and allocate resources, they differ significantly in their basis of stratification, mobility prospects, and implications for individual and collective identity.