Social Mobility in Sociology | Types, Thinkers & Examples | UPSC Mains & Sociology Optional Lecture

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Social Mobility is one of the most important topics in sociology and a frequently asked theme in UPSC Mains Sociology Optional as well as General Studies Paper 1. In this detailed lecture, we break down the meaning, types, key thinkers, and practical examples of social mobility in a simple, exam-oriented manner.

🔹 What is Social Mobility?
Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals or groups within the social hierarchy. It explains whether people can move up or down in society, across generations, or within their lifetime.

🔹 Types of Social Mobility:

Vertical vs Horizontal Mobility – Movement across status levels or between regions.

Inter-generational vs Intra-generational Mobility – Between generations or within a single lifetime.

Absolute vs Relative Mobility – Whether mobility happens collectively or comparatively.

Structural vs Circulation Mobility – Mobility due to societal changes or individual competition.

Sponsored vs Contested Mobility – State-aided vs competitive exam-based mobility.

🔹 Key Thinkers & Studies:

Pitirim Sorokin – compared mobility to elevators and stairs.

David Glass (1954) – Britain study highlighting short-range mobility.

Blau & Duncan (1967) – Education as the strongest mobility channel in the US.

M.N. Srinivas – Concept of Sanskritization in caste mobility.

Lipset & Zetterberg – Industrialization weakens ascribed status.

🔹 Avenues of Mobility in Modern Society:

Education – the single greatest channel of upward movement.

Industrialization & Urbanization – new job opportunities.

Democracy & Politics – access to leadership roles.

Technology & Globalization – reshaping careers and migration.

Social Movements & Law – reservations, affirmative action, Dalit and women’s movements.

🔹 Barriers to Mobility:
Despite progress, factors like caste rigidities, patriarchy, poverty, illiteracy, and social prejudice restrict equal opportunities for all.

This lecture is extremely useful for:
✅ UPSC Sociology Optional students preparing for Paper 1 (Social Stratification)
✅ UPSC GS Paper 1 for topics related to society
✅ UG/PG Sociology Students for university exams
✅ Anyone interested in understanding how society changes and reproduces inequalities.

In conclusion, social mobility reflects the dynamic side of stratification: modernization and education have created new opportunities, but structural inequalities persist.

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