M5: Power, Politics & Privilege Flashcards
What is Weberianism?
- Based on the work of Max Weber (pronounced ‘vay-ber’) (influenced by Karl Marx)
- Like Marx, Weber perceived society to be characterized by conflict and social stratification
- Diverged from Marx regarding the nature and source of social stratification - In addition to class, other factors that contribute to social inequality
LO
What were Weber’s 3 factors of Social Stratification?
- Property (economic resources)
- Power (political resources)
- Prestige (Social Status)
Dominance vs. Prestige
What was the Marxist take on “Class”?
- Marx explained class as one’s relationship to the ‘means of production’
- The bourgeoisie who own the means of production
- The proletariat who sell their labour to produce
- (also the ‘little bourgeoisie’ that include small business owners)
LO
What was the Weber take on “Class”?
- Weber largely shared same perspective as Marx but added additional elements
- Rather than focusing purely on ‘economic production’ – Weber added ‘status’ and ‘prestige’
- Coined term ‘life chances’ to describe how some people are able to make lifestyle choices based on their class
What is Prestige?
What is a Status Group?
Respect, privileges, honour given to members of particular status groups
‘Status group’
- Based on membership in specific groups (professional, ethnic, religious, etc. ) in which members share common interests and lifestyles
- Membership restricted through a process of social closure
Social class and status groups are closely related, but don’t need to be - Different status groups = differing prestige
LO
Status groups in health care
Differing prestige linked to differences in:
- Skills/expertise
- Salaries, working conditions, etc.
▫ Note: status groups within status groups
Higher Prestige = Higher Privelege
Key Concept
What is Social Closure?
the way that power is exercised to exclude outsiders from the privileges of social membership (in social classes, professions, or status groups
to maintain prestige
Keep people out, keep people down -> ‘medical dominance’
Medical Domninance = LO
Key Concept
What is Medical Dominance?
Key Feature: Autonomy
The term medical dominance refers to the fact that medicine was, and to some extent still is, the most powerful profession in the health system. It points to the power the medical profession has, despite its limited numbers, to control its own work, and that of other health workers, and to have influence over health policy, [health resource allocation], and the organization of hospitals
Example of Medical Dominance
Physicians
Physicians:
- 12% of health professional workforce
- Gatekeepers
- Drivers of health care policy/decision- making
What are the 4 Challenges to Medical Dominance?
- Emergence of the welfare state
- Professionalization of other occupations in health care
- occupational therapists, physiotherapists - Increasing heterogeneity in medicine
- Specialists, Research Based, power spread out - Demystification of medicine (consumer power)
- googling diagnosis before seeing doctor (internet)
What were early nurses like?
▫ Religious orders
▫ Military organizations
▫ Female dominated profession
▫ See textbook pp. 333-338
Who is Florence Nightingale?
▫ Founder of modern nursing
▫ Social reformer
▫ Opposed to the women’s movement
Modern Nursing in Canada
First training school for nurses in Canada: 1874 in Ontario
Nurses trained to provide service to:
- a. Patients (hands-on care)
- b. Physicians (carrying out their orders)
three historical time periods for nursing
1) Emergence of lay nursing (1870-1930)
2) Move to hospital nursing (1930-50)
3) Post-WWII changes to nursing (1945-)
