Class Inequality Flashcards
What is the main criticism of welfare policies according to Murray?
Policies providing welfare benefits for unemployed, LPF do not encourage people to go back to work and so therefore lack motivation to improve their social position.
This highlights a concern that welfare benefits can create dependency rather than empowerment.
Criticisms of the New Right
Neglects the fact that social and economic inequality results in envy and hostility between top and bottom classes. NE ignores factors which impact a persons ability to achieve rewards and have social mobility.
This suggests that economic disparities can result in social tensions.
How does the New Right view meritocracy?
As a system that rewards hard work and success e.g. doctors
The New Right emphasizes individualistic values and personal responsibility.
What is the relationship between social inequality and motivation according to the New Right?
Social inequality functions to motivate individuals to strive for success.
This perspective suggests that inequality can serve a purpose in society by driving ambition.
Who are the functionalist theorists associated with stratification and inequality performing a positive function?
Davis and Moore
They argue that stratification ensures that the most functionally important positions are filled by the most capable individuals who have the most talent and efficiency. Reinforced by institutions e.g. education who ensure individuals do occupations which best suit their abilities.
Gramsci (Marxism)
The bourgeoisie maintain power and control through spreading ideas through social institutions e.g. education, the justice system
What does Weberianism state about inequalities in society?
They are based on the struggle between different groups to secure resources e.g. wealth, status examples that can be unequally distributed.
This highlights the competitive nature of social stratification.
Rex and Tomlinson (Weberianism)
Argue ethnic groups have low status due to racism and their background so are forced into a underclass.
This reflects how systemic racism can restrict social mobility.
Barron and Norris (Weberianism)
Dual labour market theory
2 types of sectors—> high status primary sector ( dominated by white men) and secondary low status sector (ethnic groups and women) where people with different status are separated
This classification reveals the disparities in employment opportunities.
What criticism did Abbott (1990) have regarding the Goldthorpe study?
It completely ignores women and their experiences at work
This highlights a gap in social mobility research related to gender and its impact on social class
What aspect of social class inequalities is emphasized by feminist theories?
The gendered nature of work and male privilege
Feminist perspectives often critique traditional class analyses for overlooking women’s experiences.
Fill in the blank: Social classifications are based around men’s _______.
occupations
This suggests that traditional class structures may overlook the complexities of women’s roles.
What does Bourdieu argue about educational systems?
They reproduce class inequalities
This indicates that educational opportunities can reflect and entrench existing social hierarchies.
What is the revolutionary perspective on capitalism mentioned by Marxists?
There was an expectation of a revolution that never took place
This reflects a critical view of the failure of historical movements to overthrow capitalist structures.
Parsons
Consensus theory, argues society has agreed shared values on status and rewards
Criticisms of Functionalist theories
Contradicts the idea that a meritocracy exists in society as many occupations are not highly rewarded but seen as functionally essential e.g. nurses
Bourdieu (Marxism)
Class inequalities are reproduced by the education system.
Cultural capital provides the upper class more opportunities to succeed
Marxists ideas on class inequalities
-Believe people are rewarded based on their social class (power and wealth)
-Proletariat exploited by Bourgeoisie
-B rely on P having a false consciousness (they are unaware of their true class interests and realities resulting in them supporting systems that don’t benefit them or fail to recognise their exploitation)
Arber et al (Feminist)
Criticised the Surrey Occupational Class Scheme as it refer to the gendered nature of work and splits male based jobs into a hierarchal system
Criticisms of Feminist theories
-Often overemphasises the extent of male privilege and power.
-Ignores the experiences of men
-Women’s occupations not necessarily a good reflection of position in class
Social Class
Refers to the divisions in society based on economic and social status. People in the same social class typically share a similar level of wealth, education and achievement
Social Stratification
Where a society ranks categories of people in levels where some groups have greater status e.g. class, gender, ethnicity
Way in which people are organised in a hierarchy in society
(Where inequalities come from)
Davis-Moore thesis (SS)
Functionalists
Social stratification has beneficial consequences for the operation of society. Argue most different jobs in society are most necessary and require highest rewards and compensation to motivate individual to fill them.
Marxists view on social stratification
Disagree that social stratification is functional for society. Argue social stratification benefits some at the expenses of others. The bourgeoisie give the proletariat just enough to survive, but ultimately the workers are exploited and social stratification is a result of this oppression of the working class.
Systems of stratification: ascribed
Fixed at birth, inherited e.g. Royal family
Systems of stratification: achieved
Earned on the basis of merit e.g. doctor
System of stratification: open system
Allow social mobility e.g. British class system, working class to middle class etc
Systems of stratification: close system
Owned an unable to change your status e.g. slavery
Functionalist and New Right views on income inequality
Argue, unequal rewards are beneficial for society as ensure people with talent are encouraged to work hard and use their abilities
Marmot review (2010)
People in higher socio-economic positions have better life chances, more opportunities, better health etc
Tumin (criticises D+M)
Questioned what it was that determined a jobs degree of importance e.g. basketball players earning millions whilst a doctor who saves lives or soldier who fights for others lives etc will not likely earn that much across their whole career.
Suggests social stratification actually prevents qualified people from attempting to fill roles
Social mobility %
10% of people from WC in 2021 had managerial professional roles, 30-40% were from UC
Links to cultural capital-> have knowledge etc to achieve these positions than WC
Surrey Occupational Class Scheme
Categorises people into social classes based on their occupation. Created by Arber et al to address patriarchal bias of previous social classes measures. Includes women separate from their husbands
Hope-Goldthorpe scale
System for classifying people based on their occupation and social prestige. Classifies people based on market position e.g. income, promotion prospects
Postmodernists, Pakulski + Walter’s)
