SOCIAL CLASS INEQUALITY - PERSPECTIVES Flashcards
What is the functional perspective on social class inequality?
Functionalism is a consensus theory which means that it sees society as characterised by social order, which is underpinned by agreement or consensus on what values and norms are important
Parsons, Davis and Moore (Tumin)
What did Parsons argue about social class inequality?
Functionalists accept that the social structure of capitalist societies, like the UK, os stratified by class inequalities and differences
Such stratification systems are the product of consensus-agreement that some members of society are deserving of greater rewards as they are more talented, skilled etc
In modern societies, most members of society agree that those who run businesses are functionally important to both the economy and social order as they create jobs, wealth and prosperity and therefore, deserve greater economic rewards than ordinary workers
What did Davis and Moore argue about social class inequality?
Stratification and inequality perform a positive function for society - if societies are able to operate effectively, they have to ensure that their most functionally important and senior positions are filled by people who are talented and efficient
Class societies are meritocratic
The functional of social institutions like education is to allocate all individuals to an occupational role that suits their abilities
People’s class position is a fair reflection of their talents
Role allocation produces stratification - in the form of economic and social inequality - because not all people are equally talented or skilled
Stratification encourages all members of society to work to the best of their ability
The importance of a social position is determined by two factors:
Its functional uniqueness - it can only be carried out by one person or a select number
The degree of dependence of others - functionalists argue that CEOs of larger companies deserve high salaries because hundred, perhaps thousands, of people depend on their unique talents, including shareholders, employees and customers
How did Tumin critique Davis and Moore?
It is not possible to determine the functional importance of a position
Considerable conflict and resentment about unequal distribution of rewards, such as income
High pay of some jobs reflects their power rather than agreement among the rest of society that they deserve it
Assume that only a small number of people have the unique talents to perform top jobs but in reality, many more people may have the ability but do not have the opportunity to do so
Suggest that higher rewards are needed to motivate people to undergo long training for top jobs but in reality, going to university has its own rewards, such as freedom
Assume that only monetary rewards motivate people but does not take into account people who may be motivated by altruism or a sense of service
Points out that, far from stratification helping society to run smoothly, it creates hostility, suspicion and mistrust between sectors of society
What is the evaluation of functionalism?
May have exaggerated the degree of consensus about rewards - there is evidence that resentment exists in the UK society with regards to the salaries earned by groups such as bankers etc
Unequal rewards may be the products of of the power of some groups to increase their rewards
The top of the stratification system is not solely occupied by those with functionally important jobs but those who live off of inherited wealth and by celebrities
Family connections, the ability to pay for exclusive and expensive private education, hidden forms of institutional patriarchy and racism may have propelled the children of the white elite
What is the new right perspective of class inequalities?
New Right thinkers tend to believe that inequality is the price to be paid for the effectiveness of the neo-liberal free market economy that has delivered the economic growth and prosperity that has generally raised the living standards of all sections of British society
Saunders, Murray, Wilkinson and Pickett
What did Saunders argue about class inequality?
Capitalist societies have to offer incentives to those with talent and enterprise in the form of more income and wealth because these people are the innovators
Equality of opportunity is important because all talent needs to be encouraged. Belief in meritocratic principles means that people are more willing to accept inequality because they can see it as the result of fair competition
Class stratification and inequality that is produced is a necessary by-product society’s demands for the latest consumer innovations
Critical of left-wing governments attempts to ‘equalise’ society
What are criticisms of Saunders?
Neglects the fact that social and economic inequality tends to result in envy, resentment and hostility among those at the bottom of the stratification system that might motivate them to engage in crime and social disorder
What did Murray argue about class inequalities?
Argues that those on welfare benefits in the USA and UK created a subculture of poverty called the ‘underclass’
Underclass is a result of over-generous welfare benefits
Made up of people who were long term unemployed and overly dependent on benefits meaning they were ‘workshy’
Claims that members did not want to take responsibility for themselves and were happy to let the state support them
Composed of ‘problem families’ who did not adhere to the moral consensus of marriage, monogamy and responsibility of bringing up their children
Includes a large number of single parents, mostly mothers, whose children had multiple fathers who rarely took economic responsibility for their children
Children in the underclass families are poorly socialised and allowed to underachieve at school and indulge in anti-social and irresponsible behaviour
Members were responsible for the crime rise in the UK in the 90s
What are criticisms of Murray?
Unclear who is responsible for the alleged problems
Only focuses on those at the bottom end of society
Marxist and Webarian sociologists would argue that it’s the capitalist system which leads to inequality
‘Victim blaming’ - blaming the poor for their own poverty is simply blaming the victims of the system
What do Wilkinson and Pickett argue about class inequalities?
Correlation found between high levels of inequality and high levels of social and health issues
High levels of inequality means low status for those at the bottom which effects mental and physical health
Low status leads to feelings of shame possibly encouraging higher rates of crime
Countries with greater inequality have less social mobility
High levels of inequality lead to a lack of trust between people
What is evaluation of New Right views on class inequalities?
Evidence suggests poor are not ‘workshy’ as many hold down more than one job
LPU argues that low pay is the main cause of poverty
Poverty shaped by social forces such as globalisation
Successive governments may be to blame - failed to encourage economic investment in deprived areas
What does Marx argue about class inequalities?
Capitalism suffered from a series of problems which would eventually lead to its downfall:
Polarisation of social classes
The gap between rich and poor would grow so wide that it would be too visible and unjust to ignore
Alienation
Control over work by bourgeoisie would result in alienation of the workers, who no longer derived any satisfaction from work would lead them to question value in their lives
Economic crisis
Capitalism was an unstable economic system which experienced periodic crises - one day it will be so great that the whole system will come crashing down
Conflict between the bourgeoisie and proletariat will result in the overthrow of the capitalist class and a revolution of the proletariat
See the replacement of capitalism with communism, in which economic resources would be shared by the whole community
A communist society would therefore be classless
What is evaluation of Marx’s views on class inequalities?
Marx suggests that social behaviour is wholly dependent on social class - does not acknowledge that people are free to make their own choices but may also react differently than peers
Ignores other forms of inequality such as gender, ethnicity and age
Presents an over-socialised picture of working-class people being turned into conformist workers and being duped into false class consciousness - fails to recognise that working class may be aware of the inequality but feel the benefits of capitalism compensates this
Failed to account for the growth of the middle class
There is little sign of class consciousness
Capitalism has flourished despite his predictions
What are some Marxist key names?
Westergaard and Resler, Braverman, Gramsci, Sklair
