Class systems are open, with achievement playing a role in social position. People fall into classes based on factors like wealth, income, education, and occupation.

A meritocracy is an ideal system of social stratification that confers standing based on solely on personal worth, rewarding effort. Stratification systems, where people are ranked based on their wealth, power, and status within society, are either closed, meaning they allow little change in social position, or open, meaning they allow movement and…

social stratification — a socioeconomic system that divides society’s members into categories ranking from high to low, based on things like wealth, power, and prestige. Also called inequality. caste system — a system in which people are born into a social standing that they will retain their entire lives. standard of living — the level of wealth available to acquire material goods and comforts to maintain a particular socioeconomic lifestyle. class — a group who shares a common social status based on factors like wealth, income, education, and occupation.