Philanthropy and Elite Social Stratification in America...

Philanthropy and Elite Social Stratification in America I. Introduction When describing social stratification in America, the essential variables are economic. This rule is valid for a high percentage of Americans; but looking only at economic stratification especially misses the point when it comes to the gap between the Old Money social elite and the New Money elite. As Francine Ostrower puts it, the social elite is an elite of status. It is characterized by solidarity within the group, social exclusivity and a distinctive cultural identity†¦[they are] a core within the larger elite (1995:12). I will examine one way that this status distinction is preserved: through the upper-class system of philanthropy, the giving of money to†¦show more content†¦Old Money elites can only maintain their status as the dominant clique by differentiating themselves according to mutually accepted, non-monetary criteria. Not any sort of differentiation will do; it must be a type that agrees with widely admired values. One such value is charity; strength, int elligence, and wealth are others. Differentiation is supported by mutual recognition. Social elites are connected by a highly interconnected social network, which helps them identify each other. In cases where that is impossible, and because of social elites’ manifest need to know the addresses of each other’s summer homes, a periodical called the Social Register is published. This publication makes possible the standard sociological method of identifying social elites, used in many famous studies such as C. Wright Mills’ The Power Elite and E. Digby Baltzell’s The Protestant Establishment. Sometimes, the net is slightly wider: in Ostrower’s studies of philanthropists, a donor is classified as a member of the social elite if he or she is listed in the Social Register, or is a member of an elite club, or is a graduate of an elite prep school (1995:12). One might argue that social elites are few because a person cannot learn to recognize so many faces. Yet when a presidential candidate is required to learn tens of thousands of faces—policymakers, benefactors, and powerbrokers—there is surely room for the social elite to recognize more than the ranks of old money.Show MoreRelatedHistory Thesis: Reconstruction Era Essay1574 Words   |  7 PagesAfter the Civil War, America was still amidst great turmoil and economic instability. During this time period, the ultimate goal for Americans was to seize the â€Å"American Dream†. This was defined by most as being able to support their family and live a comfortable life. Although some did achieve this, many faced social, political and economic hardships. Beginning with the unjust treatment of African-Americans, then the struggles of immigrants, and followed by the rise of big businesses, the challengesRead MoreCompany Overview : Caterpillar Company1664 Words   |  7 Pagesposition in the industry they are in, but are not content: their vision for the future is primarily focused on being a complete worldwide leader in which their company is seen as a leader wherever they do business. They are extremely focused on becoming elite in every aspect of their business, as well as providing as much return to their shareholders as possible. Most notably, the strategic goals for the company are summed into three areas: superior results in which their shareholder return ranks in theRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 PagesTiffany Ruby Patterson, Zora Neale Hurston and a History of Southern Life Lisa M. Fine, The Story of Reo Joe: Work, Kin, and Community in Autotown, U.S.A. Van Gosse and Richard Moser, eds., The World the Sixties Made: Politics and Culture in Recent America Joanne Meyerowitz, ed., History and September 11th John McMillian and Paul Buhle, eds., The New Left Revisited David M. Scobey, Empire City: The Making and Meaning of the New York City Landscape Gerda Lerner, Fireweed: A Political Autobiography