Which term refers to a ranked social order?

The term that refers to a ranked social order is hierarchy. In sociology and anthropology, hierarchy describes the arrangement of individuals or groups within a system based on various factors such as power, status, or wealth. This ranking establishes a structure where higher positions often wield more authority or privilege compared to lower ones, reflecting the distribution of resources and influence within a society.

Hierarchy is a crucial concept in understanding how societies organize themselves and function. It can be seen in various contexts, such as feudal systems, corporate structures, or caste systems, where roles and responsibilities are determined by their position within the hierarchy. This term encompasses a wide array of social dynamics, providing insight into the complexity of human relationships throughout history.

Society, while related, is a broader term referring to a group of individuals who share a culture or social structure, but it does not emphasize the ranked nature of relationships. Government refers to the organization that makes and enforces laws, without inherently implying a social ranking. Clan denotes a group of families or households that are connected by a common ancestor, which does not necessarily reflect a ranked order within its own structure. Thus, hierarchy is the most precise term to describe a ranked social order.