Class Inequality: Postmodernist explanations of Class Inequality Flashcards
What did Bauman say about class inequality in postmodern societies?
They can be divided into two groups
According to Bauman, what are the two groups individuals in society can be divided into?
The seduced and the repressed
What are the seduced able to do?
Able to engage in consumer culture
Why are the seduced able to engage in consumer culture?
They have enough money to do so
Name a piece of new technology the seduced will be able to buy
Iphone 16
What is the situation for the repressed in society?
They are unable to engage in consumer culture
Why can the repressed not engage in consumer culture?
They do not have the money to do so
Why has globalisation made people in the repressed category feel even worse about their situation?
They are able to see people all around the world who are seduced
What would Weberians say about Postmodernist explanations of class inequality?
It is way more complicated than they make it seem
Which Weberian said there were 4 classes in society?
Weber
Who are the propertied upper class?
The wealthy big business owners
Who are the propertyless white collar workers?
The people who have high-status jobs which require many qualifications
Who are the petty bourgeoisie?
The small business owners
Who are the manual working class?
The people who have jobs that require few qualifications
What concept would Weber argue determines how much people can consume?
Market situation
What is market situation?
The amount of bargaining power a person has
Name 2 aspects of bargaining power
Qualifications, Wealth
What do Postmodernists say has replaced class inequality in society?
They have been replaced with risks present to everyone in society
What did Beck say about social class?
It is a zombie category
What does it mean if class is a zombie category?
It is no longer a part of society but parts of the belief in it are kept alive
What form of society would Beck say has been created for postmodern socieities?
A risk society
What does it mean for all classes if a risk society is present?
People from all classes can be affected by the same issues
Name an environmental issue that people from all classes are affected by
Climate Change
What does Beck argue about social movements in relation to class?
People who join are from varying class backgrounds
What happens to many social movements once they reach their goal?
They break up
Name a social movement in Portsmouth that broke up after their goal was achieved
Stop Aquind
What was the aim of Stop Aquind?
Prevent electricity cables being put through fragile ecosystems
What would Marxists say about Postmodernists believing class is no longer relevant in society?
Exploitation of the proletariat will always exist if there is capitalism
Which Marxist would say the proletariat are still exploited by the bourgeoisie?
Marx
Who is the owner of Amazon?
Jeff Bezos
What is the networth of Jeff Bezos?
£100 billion
Name a poor condition Amazon delivery drivers have to work in?
They have to wait in unheated rooms
What do Postmodernists say about class having an impact on youth cultures in the present day?
They do not have an impact on youth cultures
Which Postmodernist argued youth cultures had been replaced by neo-tribes?
Maffesoli
What is a characteristic of neo-tribes in relation to norms and values?
They do not have a fixed set of norms and values
What does Maffesoli say young people are able to do with membership of neo-tribes?
They can flit from one neo-tribe to another
What would many sociologists argue about the reasons why some young people join youth cultures still?
They do it in relation to their class
Who studied county lines gangs?
Harding
How much were youths getting paid a week for their actions in county lines gangs?
£300 a week
Why did working class youths join county line gangs?
To allow them to buy what they wanted
Name one harm young people could face in county lines gangs
Being stabbed by other gang members
Which Postmodernist argues other sociological theories are outdated metanarratives?
Lyotard
What does Lyotard argue has happened to society?
Fragmentation
What has been the result for society from fragmentation?
It has become more individualised
What would Functionalists argue about their sociological theory?
It is not outdated
Which Functionalist would say there is still a value consensus in society?
Parsons
What is the value consensus based on, according to Parsons?
Meritocracy
What does it mean most people believe if they think a meritocracy is still present?
If they work hard, they will get better rewards
What would Functionalists say about the wealth of big business owners?
They have worked hard to get to that position and deserve it
Name the owner of Tesla
Elon Musk
What is Elon Musks networth?
£450 billion
Do Postmodernists believe there is social mobility?
No
Why do Postmodernists say there is no social mobility?
Because class inequality does not exist in a postmodern society
