FINAL EXAM (stratification) Flashcards
what is equality?
- social actors EQUAL in terms (status, abilities, rights, opportunities)
- treating everyone the same -aiming to promote fairness
what is equality of condition?
conditions equal for all (same level housing, wealth, education, etc)
what is meritocracy?
- individual actions, ability, skills, etc. determine social position.
- power is gained through talent, effort, and achievement, instead of wealth or social class
what is equity?
- social actors treated fairly, relations are fair. (equal pay for work of equal value)
- giving everyone what they need to be successful
what is social inequality?
- unequal distribution of resources to services, goods, jobs, justice, etc.
- lack of/uneven access to the social amenities that are necessary for an adequate standard of living
what is social stratification?
- when a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy
- ranking indicates that some groups have more and others have less of what society values (money, power, prestige)
karl marx and stratification/class (2 points)
- one’s relationship to the ‘means of production’ determines their status (hierarchy) in a society.
- divided by the bourgeoisie (those who control the means of production) and the proletariats (exploited by the bourgeoisie).
max weber and stratification/class (2 points)
- class is defined as people who share similar levels of wealth, power, and prestige.
- class divisions derive not only from control or lack of control (in regards to production) but from differences which have nothing to do with property/work.
what is CLASS?
-a social class is a group of people who share similar status, comparable levels of power, and wealth
________ form of social power.
STATUS/HONOUR.
______ form of political power.
PARTY.
how is status/honour determined?
by social honour/recognition, esteem.
what is status/honour based on?
formal titles, leadership, credentials, awards, level of respect
what does a party do?
work to overtly and directly engage in influencing social action.
what is economic capital?
money and wealth (gives you access to elite educational opportunities or social networks)
what is social capital?
the network of acquaintances, family, and associates that give you access to goods and resources (it’s not what you know but who you know)
what is cultural capital?
education, skill, and knowledge (gives you access to economic capital)
what is symbolic capital?
degrees, special skills, titles
what is social position? (3 points)
- the position of an individual in a given society and culture
- a position may belong to many individuals (priest, police officer)
- social position influences social status
what is conflict perspective? (karl marx)
macro or micro?
- inequality result of power issues (too few have too much power)
- inequality is NOT inevitable
- constant state of conflict for limited resources
- social classes must compete for social, material resources (food, housing, employment, education)
- social order that is dominated by power/wealth
- benefits a small majority at the expense of the rest of the population
- race, sex, class, and age also helps with inequality
- macro
what is structural functionalism? (herbert spencer)
macro or micro?
- inequality IS inevitable
- success is rewarded, society is meritocracy (power is given to people for their talent/effort, and achievement instead of wealth or social class)
- similarities between our society and compared it to the human body
- many (body) parts that interrelate and work with one another to meet a social and biological set of needs
- present society is a complex system- it’s woven together by interdependent parts and these parts work together to maintain a constant state (ex. language, religion, and values)
- emphasizes on relationships in society
- macro/micro
