Social Class And Inequality Flashcards
What are the 7 ways to measure class?
Ruling and subject class Manual and non manual workers The hope-goldthorpe classification The underclass National statistics socio economic classification Occupation and social class Subjective social class
How does someone’s income affect their social class?
The amount of income affects someone’s access to what is considered desirable in society; food housing transport etc
People in higher professions receive higher pay and have much easier access- higher classes
What do Marxists argue about social inequality due to income?
Lower classes are socialised to accept their lower wages in society
Who defined the term ‘life chances’?
Weber
What are life chances and some examples?
Life chances are the opportunities people have that help to achieve what is considered desirable - education, health, home, well paid job
How does social class affect a persons life chances?
People of a lower social class are disadvantaged; less paid jobs, worse education
Those of a higher class have far better opportunities - they have more money and links with people in power
What did Atkinson find about wealth and how does this disadvantage those from lower class backgrounds?
Found wealth is usually inherited- makes it harder for those of a lower socially class to move upwards
Why is it difficult to measure wealth?
Hard to calculate the value of assets- value changes over time
Difficult to tell the difference between wealth and income
Some people hide their wealth
What are some social class inequalities in types of rewards?
Financial rewards- lower classes= worse pensions/no paid holidays
Status- differences of status reflect differences of income
Power and control- those in senior positions can demand higher pay/working hours
Job security- manual workers more likely to face job losses
How many children are in poverty?
3.5 million
What is the absolute and relative poverty?
Absolute poverty - lacking basic essentials needed
Relative poverty - not enough money to have stuff for a ‘normal lifestyle’
Why would functionalists criticise the idea of social class inequality?
We live in a meritocracy- equal chances to succeed, hard work is rewarded
People in lower classes aren’t always exploited
Most people enjoy their jobs
What do Functionalists Davis and Moore argue?
Role Allocation: Higher paid jobs in society need to be filled by those most appropriate- usually higher skilled/well educated
Functional Uniqueness- only a small number of people are able to carry out a role
Degree of Dépendence of Others - those who make the important decisions
What sociologist criticises Davis and Moore?
Tumin
Why does Tumin criticise Davis and Moore?
Not everyone has equal opportunites and life chances in society
All jobs in society are important- can’t choose what jobs deserve the highest pay
What Functionalist talks about value consensus and stratification?
Parsons
What does Parsons argue about stratification?
Social stratification reflects value consensus
What new right thinker came up with the term ‘underclass’
Charles Murray
Who are the ‘underclass’?
The poorest members of society - unemployed, lone parent families, chronic illnesses
Group mostly dependent on state benefits
Negative connotations
What three things is class measured through?
Economic capital - income/wealth etc
Social capital - number and status of people someone knows
Cultural capital - cultural interests/activities
What do Marxists believe about lower classes and their income?
Those in lower classes are socialised to accept their lower positions in society and their lower wages
What is property wealth, physical wealth and financial wealth?
Property wealth = housing/land
Physical wealth = valuables/assets
Financial wealth = money
What is social mobility and how is it measured?
The movement between social classes - can be up or down
Measured 2 ways : Intergenerational - between generations
Intragenerational - movement during lifetime
How does Weber define a social class?
A group who share a similar market situation - receive similar economic rewards and life chances.
What can status be linked to?
A persons economic or class position Ethnicity, religion or lifestyle
Why might members of ethnic minorities have a relatively low status?
They face prejudice and discrimination
How did Weber define a party?
Parties are groups who were concerned with exercising power or influencing decision making
What are some examples of parties?
Trade unions - seek to improve wages and conditions of workers
Pressure groups such as Greenpeace
What 3 problems did Marx say would occur and lead to the downfall of capitalism?
Polarisation of social classes
Alienation
Economic crisis
