Meritocracy is a social system in which advancement, power, and economic rewards are based on individual merit, such as talent, effort, and achievement, rather than on wealth, social class, or hereditary privilege. It implies that those who work hardest and possess the most skill will rise to the top of the social hierarchy.

Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals and groups in a society based on factors like wealth, power, prestige, and status. It creates layers or strata, where those in higher positions typically have more access to resources and opportunities than those in lower positions. This structure is a fundamental aspect of how societies organize and distribute social rewards.

Horticultural societies rely on the cultivation of plants using simple hand tools. The ability to produce a food surplus allows for population growth and the development of specialized roles, which eventually leads to the emergence of social stratification and inequality within the community.

Social stratification is the sociological framework that describes how society is divided into hierarchical layers based on wealth, power, and status. It also encompasses the study of social mobility, which refers to the ability of individuals or groups to move up or down within this stratified system.

Melvin Tumin was a prominent critic of the Davis-Moore thesis, which argued that social stratification is a functional necessity for society. Tumin challenged this perspective by questioning the assumption that the most important positions are always the most difficult to fill and that rewards are always distributed based on merit. He argued that stratification can actually limit the discovery of talent and create social barriers rather than fostering efficiency.

In the context of traditional Indian social structures, 'Prathiloma' refers to a marriage where a woman marries a man of a lower caste. This contrasts with 'Anuloma', which refers to a marriage where a man marries a woman of a lower caste, both concepts being central to understanding caste-based endogamy and social stratification.

The Davis-Moore thesis, proposed by Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore, argues that social stratification is a universal and necessary feature of all societies. It suggests that inequality ensures that the most important positions in society are filled by the most qualified individuals, who are motivated by the rewards associated with those high-status roles.

The Third Estate comprised the vast majority of the French population, including peasants, urban workers, and the bourgeoisie. While the First and Second Estates (clergy and nobility) held most of the land and political power, they represented only about 2% of the population, leaving the remaining 98% to bear the tax burden.

These elements are classified as structural factors because they exist independently of the individual and shape the opportunities available within a society. The occupational structure and the dual economy represent systemic arrangements that dictate social mobility and economic outcomes, rather than being determined by personal choices or individual attributes.

Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals into social categories such as classes, castes, or divisions. This structure inherently results in unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges, creating systemic disparities in access to wealth, power, and status within a society.