Social class Flashcards
Explanation 1
inequality must occur to encourage competition
inequality must occur to encourage competition
saunders
inequality must occur to encourage competition (Saunders)
- society based on social equity would only be possible if considerable force were used (e.g. the threat of death or imprisonment to ensure that everyone did their jobs).
- it is right and just that everyone enjoys legal equality
- supports the principle of equality of opportunity where everyone has the same chances to compete for unequal rewards
- a degree of inequality is desirable and functional in order to motivate people to compete as long as everyone has an equal opportunity to take part in the competition
- believes that middle class children are probably more able and intelligent and deserve to do better than working class children
Explanation 2
If work is done to try to equalise society, individuals become complacent
If work is done to try to equalise society, individuals become complacent
Murray
If work is done to try to equalise society, individuals become complacent (Murray)
- US gov policies of providing welfare benefits for groups such as the unemployed were creating dependency culture
- this creates the underclass who are poorly socialised
- Britain was also developing an underclass
- the underclass can be fixed by reducing in welfare benefits and less government input
Explanation 3
There is no incentive to work hard without inequality in society due to the welfare state
There is no incentive to work hard without inequality in society due to the welfare state
Marsland
There is no incentive to work hard without inequality in society due to the welfare state (Marsland)
- dependency culture is created and sustained by excessive welfare state interventions
- the welfare state undermines personal responsibility and perpetuates social inequality by fostering dependency
- the welfare state has a counter-productive effect by creating a cycle of dependent rather than reducing poverty and inequality
- generous welfare benefits discourage individuals from seeking employment or becoming self-sufficient
- the welfare system traps people in poverty and prevents social mobility as it incentivises reliance on state support rather than fostering personal responbilbity, work ethic etc..
dependency culture
- marsland
- long term welfare recipients develop a mindset where they become reliant on state benefits rather than striving for independence through work and personal effort
- it erodes rational values such as self-reliance, ambition and responsibility
- it contributes to social problems such as crime, substance abuse and educational failure
explanation 4
those from higher social class groups are part of the cognitive elite so do better than those from lower social classes
those from higher social class groups are part of the cognitive elite so do better than those from lower social classes
herrnstein and murray
those from higher social class groups are part of the cognitive elite so do better than those from lower social classes (herrnstein and murray)
- intelligence plays a big role in determining peoples education, income and overall social status
- believe that society is becoming more video based on intelligence, creating a group of highly intelligence individuals who have better access to opportunities and resources
- this divide can make it harder for people from lower classes to improve their situations
- suggest that this is due to the difference in intelligence.
- higher intelligence Is more common among those in upper socioeconomic classes, but they do not claim that all individuals in the upper class inherently have better IQs.
- intelligence influences educational and job opportunities which leads to better socio-economic statuses.
