2. (c ) Discuss social mobility in open and closed systems. (2022/P1/10/Social mobility)



  • Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals or groups to move within the social hierarchy or change their social status over time. Social systems can be broadly categorized into open systems and closed systems based on the opportunities and barriers they present for social mobility.
  • Open Social Systems:
  • In an open social system, there is a relatively high degree of social mobility, allowing individuals to move between social strata based on their achievements, talents, or efforts.

  • Characteristics:

  • Meritocracy: Open systems often operate on the principle of meritocracy, where individuals are rewarded based on their skills, abilities, and achievements rather than inherited characteristics.

  • Equal Opportunities: Open systems provide relatively equal opportunities for education, employment, and advancement, enabling individuals to improve their social status based on their efforts.

  • Fluid Class Structure: Social classes are more fluid, and individuals have the potential to move both upward and downward in the social hierarchy.

  • Examples: Western democracies are often considered more open systems where individuals have the potential for upward mobility through education and career achievements.
  • Closed Social Systems:
  • In a closed social system, social mobility is limited, and individuals face significant barriers to moving between social classes. Social status is often ascribed, meaning it is determined by factors beyond individual control, such as birth or family background.

  • Characteristics:

  • Inherited Privilege: Social positions are often passed down from one generation to the next, creating a rigid class structure based on family background.

  • Limited Opportunities: Opportunities for education, employment, and advancement are restricted, and individuals may find it challenging to break out of the social class into which they were born.

  • Caste or Class Systems: Closed systems may have caste systems or hereditary social classes that restrict social mobility based on birth.

  • Examples: Historical feudal societies, caste systems in certain cultures, and traditional societies with rigid social hierarchies may be considered closed systems.
  • It's important to note that many real-world societies fall somewhere between the extremes of completely open and completely closed systems. Social mobility is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including economic opportunities, education, institutional structures, and cultural attitudes.
  • Moreover, the concept of social mobility is multifaceted, encompassing both intergenerational mobility (movement between generations) and intragenerational mobility (individual mobility within their own lifetime). Societies with a high degree of social mobility are often associated with greater social equality and opportunities for individual advancement. In contrast, closed systems tend to perpetuate social inequalities and limit the ability of individuals to transcend the circumstances of their birth.

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2. (c ) Discuss social mobility in open and closed systems. (2022/P1/10/Social mobility)