Chapter 6 - Class & Status Inequality Flashcards
What play an important role in shaping our every day experiences?
Class and status inequalities
What are economic power relations complicated by?
Other social factors such as gender, age, race
What are intersectionalities?
Complex intersections and interactions between economic another inequalities
What stresses the lowering of groups of people, according to the relative privilege, into social classes?
Social stratification
What is social research about?
We seek the data facts, and then try to find explanations to tell us why something is happening
What are the basic principles of stratification?
1) A trait of society, not just individual differences
2) passed from generation to generation
3) throughout the world, only the amount and types of inequality varies from place to place
4) involves inequality and beliefs of fairness
What is a system of stratification based on merit or one’s achievement as opposed to one’s a scribe status?
Meritocracy
What stratification system allows grader mobility in terms of social status?
Open stratification
What is social stratification system based on ascription?
Caste system
Explain the difference between endogamy and exogamy
Endogamy - marriage in one’s class exogamy - marriage outside one’s class
How did Karl Marx influence the conflict theory approach to social stratification?
Marks star capitalism’s distinguishing feature as the division of society into two classes based on their relationship to the means of production. The bourgeoisie were owners of the means of production, the proletariat were workers who have to sell their labour and the unemployed are a reserve army ready to be called into work if needed
What was Marx’s work criticized for failing to recognize with social stratification in the conflict theory?
A system of an equal rewards may be necessary to motivate people to perform their social rules effectively
What did Mark’s believe the proletariat class would develop in his social conflict and social stratification series?
Class consciousness, and awareness of their shared interests and ability to act on those interests
What would lead to class conflict and a socialist revolution?
Class consciousness or a collective awareness
Why is western capitalism failed to experience a Marxist type of revolution?
Many payoffs at different levels, higher standard of living for workers, benefits of workers’ unions, more extensive legal protections, and lower income inequality
What is the Davis-Moore thesis on social stratification?
Social stratification is a universal pattern because it has beneficial consequences for the operation of a society. The greater the importance or talent required of a position the more rewards a society attaches to it. Members of society generally agree that the reward system is fair
What does the Davis-Moore thesis say about why we still have poverty?
Social injustice, personal laziness
Why is Canada still stratified?
Basis of market income and wealth
What percentage of peoples control about 40% of Canada’s wealth?
5% of families
What class system are we divided into in Canada although we have open social mobility?
Upper class (5%), middle class (40-45%), working class (33%), lower class (20%)