They're very similar - they both represent social stratification of society into social ranks of wealth, income, race, education, and power. The only differenc

They're very similar - they both represent social stratification of society into social ranks of wealth, income, race, education, and power. The only difference is that a person's 'caste' in India, is dictated by blood and can never be changed. Whereas in the West, a person can theoretically transition from one class to another.