The article discusses the main idea of the concept, which is to reveal a number of problems generated by social stratifi cation in modern sociology. Using the methodological potential of sociology, the author tries to demonstrate the essence and logic of social stratifi cation as a metaphor for the development of modern society. While classical sociology pays more attention to the «master-dependent» relationship, in «modern» sociology, more attention is paid to the middle class, which contributes to ensuring a balance between the two poles of the social hierarchy. If until the 20th century the main attribute of the ruling class was economic opportunity, today the markers of social stratifi cation have changed, and the most important are culture and cultural values.