What is industrial stratification primarily characterized by?

Industrial stratification is primarily characterized by the division between the rich and the poor. This concept highlights the economic disparities that emerge in industrial societies, where wealth accumulation and capital ownership create significant differences in social status and power. In industrialized economies, the growth of industries often leads to a concentration of wealth among certain individuals or groups, particularly those who own or control production. This results in a pronounced social stratification based on economic class, where factors such as income, access to resources, and overall economic opportunity become defining aspects of one’s societal position.

While other forms of division, such as those based on profession, education, or age, can certainly exist within industrial societies, they do not encapsulate the core essence of industrial stratification as effectively as the economic divide does. The primary focus of industrial stratification is on wealth and its impact on social relations, making the distinction between the rich and the poor a central characteristic of this phenomenon.