Chapter 7 Flashcards
What is counter-ideology?
-Offers a critique of a dominant ideology, challenges its self-styled notions of justice and its universal applicability to society
-Counter ideologies seek to create significant social change
-E.g., Classical Marxism, the Occupy movement, Idle No More, etc.
What is hegemony?
-Antonio Gramsci, a critic of ideology, used the term to explain the prevalence of a dominant ideology: a set of non-coercive methods of maintaining power used by the dominant class
What is a stratum?
A group to which people belong on the bases of their income, education, or income for the purpose of statistical analysis (the social classes)
What is social stratification?
Describes society as though it is divided into a series of layers or strata
What is ideology?
-A set of beliefs about society and the people in it, usually forming the basis of a particular economic or political theory
-Shapes the arguments and beliefs pertaining to social inequality
What is dominant ideology?
The set of beliefs put forward by, and generally supportive of, society’s dominant culture and/or classes
-E.g., trickle-down theory (myth) which states if the wealthy are given the freedom to generate more wealth, others in society will benefit
What is neoliberalism or neoliberal ideology?
Dominant ideology that views the individual as a more or less independent player on the sociological scene
What is meritocracy?
-The notion of a political system in which economic goods or political power are vested in individual people based on ability and talent, rather than wealth or social class
-Advancement is based on performance as measured through examination or demonstrated achievement
-Reflects a belief in a great deal of social mobility (ability of individuals to move from one class or stratum to another)
-Downplays concerns over social inequality (Success or failure to fulfill the american dream rests solely with individuals hard work and motivation)
-May result in “blaming the victim” (individual is assigned responsibility rather than social causes beyond control)
What is minimum wage?
-Lowest hourly rate a person can be paid for their work
-Often the easiest ones to replace with automation
-Considered too low for the “working poor” to live on; people paid minimum wage often have to use food banks
What is a living wage?
-Generally represents a target above the existing minimum wage
-Theoretical income level that allows individuals or families to afford adequate shelter, food, and other necessities
-Goal is to allow employees to earn enough income for a satisfactory standard of living and prevent them from falling into poverty
What is universal basic income?
A program where every citizen receives a flat monthly payment, to bring a basic income to all, regardless of whether they’re working and earning an income
What is one indicator of inequality in Canada?
-Food banks (non-profit organizations that collect, store, and distribute food free of charge directly or through front line agencies)
-Main factor increasing the use of food banks is the downturn of the economy, resulting in increased levels of unemployment and under employment in both middle and low-income families
What is the main term used to talk about social inequality popularized by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels?
-Social class (is relational): reflects the relationship of people to what Marx called the “means of production” -the resources needed to produce goods
-The means of production are (financial/commercial) capital: the funds and properties are necessary for large-scale manufacturing and trading
What are the two possible relationships to the means of production identified by Marx?
-The owner (aristocrats/Bourgeoisie)
-The workers (peasants/Proletariat)
-There was a struggle between capitalist interests and workers’ rights
What is class consciousness?
-Each social class shared a sense of common purpose or awareness of what is in the best interests of one’s class
-The owner always possesses class consciousness
-Worker class may have “false consciousness” (a belief that something is in one’s best interests when it is not. I.e., the American Dream, efforts to abolish of trade unions)
