Social class

Question 1

explanation 1

Answer 1

Social class inequality is inevitable and necessary

Question 2

Social class inequality is inevitable and necessary

Answer 2

parsons

Question 3

Explanation 2

Answer 3

Social class inequality creates social order

Question 4

Social class inequality is inevitable and necessary (parsons)

Answer 4

• Suggests that social class inequality is an inevitable feature of a social system that requires order and ranking.
• Ranking in society is based on a value consensus about what society values and thus there is generally agreement about who deserves the highest rewards
• The values are:
  Kinship
  Achievement
  Possessions
  Personal qualities
  Authority
• Those who have more of these qualities are likely to be higher in the systems of stratification
• As a society we agree with these qualities are of high value
• hose who are highly valued are rewarded (in the labour market) those who are not, are not

Question 5

Social class inequality creates social order

Answer 5

Durkheim

Question 6

Social class inequality creates social order (Durkheim)

Answer 6

• Class stratification exists because it is functional or beneficial to social order
• Modern society is characterised by a specialised division of labour in which people have different:
  function
  Skills
  abilities
• characterised by social divisions
• divisions
  People are content to take their positions within the division of labour because they believe in its moral worth
• This value consensus also means members accept the legitimacy of stratification
• Stratification is beneficial because it sets its limits on competitions and aspirations
• We cannot all compete for everything and therefore order is maintained by stratification

Question 7

Explanation 3

Answer 7

Social class inequalities are functional for society

Question 8

Social class inequalities are functional for society

Answer 8

Davis and Moore

Question 9

Social class inequalities are functional for society (Davis and Moore)

Answer 9

• some jobs are functionally more important (society is dependent on them such as doctors and surgeons)
• Therefore higher rewards are attached to them
• These jobs require a lot of training, time and effort therefore these rewards are necessary to ensure those with the most innate ability work hard to reach them and also ensure they complete them to a high standard
• Society, through education and work, sifts and sorts people into the most suitable roles based on innate intelligence

Question 10

explanation 4

Answer 10

Social inequalities are a reflection of anomic conditions

Question 11

Social inequalities are a reflection of anomic conditions

Answer 11

Durkheim

Question 12

Social inequalities are a reflection of anomic conditions (Durkheim)

Answer 12

• anomie
• With the concept anomie, we can explain social class inequality, we may argue that class inequalities are not functional but rather a reflection of dysfunction
• In order for society to remain stable, there needs to be a healthy level of inequality
• there are times in which these social class-based inequalities may tilt into instability
• times of significant social and economic upheaval or change, members of society can become morally confused and lack direction
• This can lead to individuals in society losing any sense of aspiration, sense of morality or desire to contribute to society
• They are experiencing anomie
• This can lead to large swathes of society slipping into poor standards of living, with little hope to improve their situation