explaining class inequalities Flashcards
functionalism - parsons (1951)
value consensus and stratification
- some individuals are better than others at achieving thingsm they are regarded as worthy
- entrepreneurs and executives deserve higher rewards
functionalism - davis and moore (1945
social stratification ensures the most important positions in society are filled with most able people by offering high rewards
- people then perform to highest standards
functional uniquenes
how different the role is from others in society
degree of dependance
measurement of importance based on how its needed in society
functionalism critique of davis and moore - Tumin
- ability to determine functional importance
- consensus about rewards
- power and rewards
- pool of talent
- training as a sacrifice
- motivation
- dysfunctions of stratification
ascribed status
hereditary status passed down or given
achieved status
given due to personal achievements/ meritocracy
new right
new approach in politics
- believes that the economic system worked best when on a free market
- emphasise the importance of the individual and free choice
new right - saunders (1990)
a society based on social equality is only possible with considerable force
- rejects equality of outcomes
- inequality motivates competition
- equalising attempts interferes with amrket forces and reduces incentive for rich investments
new right - murray (1984)
the underclass - government policies provide welfare benefits lead to dependancy
to reduce poverty - reduce welfare benefits
new right - critique of murray
- studies of poor suggest only a minority portray the attitudes that murray describes as irresponsible
- unclear who is responsible for problems created by underclass
- makes no connection to wider pattern of social class inequality
marxism
early societies based on primitive communism
developed into feudalism
capitalism + false class consciousness
class conflict - polarisation
divide between working class and capitalist grows wider from bourgeoisie driving down wages
class conflict - alienation
workers lack satisfaction at work because they do not have control
- satisfaction outside of work comes from consumerism
marxism - overthrowing capitalism
working class have the potential to overthrow capitalism
- false class consciousness prevents them
communism would replace capitalism where all resources would be shared
marxism westergaard and resler (1976) - iimportance of inequality
inequalities are only understood as a result of capitalism operations and have widened since 1970s
marxism braverman 1974 - polarisation
the polarisation is due to middle class carrers have been de-skilled due to advancing technology
neo marxism - gramsci (1971)
hegemony explains why the working class hasnt broken into revolution
- the ruling class use cultural and political means to encourage enough of the working class to side with the ruling class
marxism - globalisation and TNC
nation states find it difficult to control TNCs, they have greater power than national governments
TNC controllers become global ruling class
evaluation of marxism
economic determination: people may act differently because of cultures - ignores important inequalities
the middle class: dismissed importance as they have grown
class consciousness: communist revolutions have occurred in underdeveloped societies - western culture has little evidence of consciousness
success of capitalism: w/c enjoy rising standard of living
weberianism - stratification weber (1948)
class, party and status
weberianism - social class
people who share similar market situation and life chances
economic division between property owners and those selling labour
weberianism - social class 4 main
- propertied upper class
- property-less workers
- petty bourgeoisie
- manual working class
weberianism - status
common status situations form strongers group identities
- status links to economic position or aspects of identity
- individuals are more connected to status than class
- wealth and income are major sources of status