Ch 6 Social Inequality Flashcards
What are the 4 types of social stratification?
- Slavery
- Caste
- Clan
- Class
What is social stratification?
How a social system Ranks large groups of people into a hierarchy.
What was slavery based on originally, and who were among the first slaves?
• Debt
• Violation of law
• Conquest or war
And women were the first type
What is modern slavery referred to today?
human trafficking or indentured service.
When did human traffic start being considered a criminal offence in Canada?
2005
What is indentured service?
bonded labour that has a blurred line between slavery and work
Explain what a caste is
occupational groups (hereditary)
Tells you what you can or can’t pursue
You can only marry within the group
Explain what a clan is based on
determined at birth, like large extended families, Often used for alliances between clan
You can marry outside of it
Can you marry outside of a clan?
Yes
Can you marry outside of a caste?
No
What is a class system based on and when does it begin?
solely based on money, power, and possessions. Begins at birth with the parents status.
Will you always be stuck in a class?
No, you can move classes
Is gender a foundation for social stratification?
Yes
How do sociologists define social class?
Webarian terms.
Social class=social location
Differences in wealth, power and prestige result In?
Different opportunities
Different lifestyles
Different access to resources
Different perspectives
What are the 3 method types that people use to measure social class
Subjective
Reputational
Objective
What is a reputational method to measure social class?
What class others belong to based on their reputation
What is a subjective way of measuring social class?
Asking people to indicate their own social class
What is an objective measure of social class?
objective criteria that can be measured (wealth, education) sociologists primarily use this method
What are the three components of social class according to most sociologists
Wealth, power, and prestige
What s the difference between wealth, income, power, and prestige?
Wealth includes both property and income
income includes inheritance, pay, rand royalties
Power is being able to achieve goals regardless of opposition
Prestige is a way of regarding someone with immense respect, like an award or something
What does Marx believe determines social class?
Based on people relation to the means of production
What are the 3 original sets of non producing workers and non owning classes?
- Masters and slaves
- Lords and serfs
- Bourgeoisie and proletariat
What is false consciousness?
when workers are not aware of their own exploration, and mistakenly vote for a party, believing that they will help them. They support a party or something that is against their best interests.
What do sociologists and weber believe determines social class?
Wealth, power, and prestige
What is the functionalist perspective when it comes to social class?
inequality as inevitable, and necessary
Distribution of prestige and wealth is based on your own qualifications and meritocracy.
All positions are important
What is meritocracy?
you deserve to be where you are
What type of perspective do Davis and Moore subscribe to?
Functionalist
What do Davis and Moore believe about social class?
all society has tasks that must be accomplished and a certain position that must be filled
The most important positions must be filled by eg most qualified people, and they require more training and talent.
The most highly rewarded position should be those who are highly unique. Eg. Doctor- extremely imp for society, require extensive training
Identify three criticisms of Davis and Moores theory
Ignores inherited wealth
Are economic rewards the only motivator for people
Are all people able to maximize three talents and skills
What about structural factors? (Poverty, lack of jobs)
Assumes stratification is a result of meritocracy
Does ability really predict successes or status?
Who decides what positions are more important?
What do conflict theorists believe when it comes to social class?
Social inequality is unnecessary and avoidable and serves no function
Social inequality is created and maintained by the ruling classes, they do it so well, that we think the social order is normal
Conflict, not function is the basis of social inequality.
Social inequality can be eradicated
How do elites maintain social inequality?
Maintained through ideology (democratic society)
By force in undemocratic
Controlling information through propaganda, mass media, and money
Controlling police and politicians
What is the Horatio Alger myth?
If you work hard enough you can achieve anything
Why is the Horatio Alger myth socially destructive?
Based on the idea that people live how they want to live, and everyone has equal opportunity
Suggests material success has nothing to do with race, gender, class background, national origin
What percentage of the population is upper upper class?
1.1-3%
What percentage of the population is middle class?
26.5%