Explain Jean Jaques-Rousseau's idea of social stratification.

For
Rousseau, social stratification is based on a fundamental perception issue.  Rousseau believed
that individuals possess two types of love of self.  One type is called amour de soi and the
other one is amour propre. The former represents a love of oneself that is affirmative of one's
state of being in the world.  This love of self is one where individuals do not seek to compete
with others, and is one that reflects a "man in state of nature" element.  Rousseau
contrasts this with amour propre.  This type of love is predicated upon self love, but it is a
love of self that is contingent on how others see oneself.  Amour propre is never ending because
individuals no longer understand their own sense of self, but rather see themselves as how
others see them.  This helps to breed competition and rivalry within society and is responsible
for the stratification that exists between people.  For Rousseau, displays of wealth and the
sense of vulgarity that results from it does so because individuals view themselves as how
others view them, distorting their reality, preventing solidarity, and creating stratification. 
Individuals thereby need social stratification as it is a reflection of status and privilege,
key elements in amour propre.  For Rousseau, social stratification and division can only be
overcome when amour de soi is evident in both politics and social order, eliminating the
presence of amour propre.