Sy210 Flashcards
Social inequality
the study of consequential human differences and refers to difference that become socially structured, regular and reoccurring. An example of this is the gender wage gap, it’s the measure of pay between men and women and the differences. Social inequality is socially significant because it affects a persons life expectancy and access to basic services and necessities.
Intersectionality
interconnected nature of social categorization; race, class, ethnicity, and gender—apply to groups or Indvidual’s. An example of this is a women of colour facing both sexism and racism in the workplace facing challenging that neither men of colour or white women face. This term is socially significant as it reveals traditional frameworks of discrimination overlooking complexities of peoples experiences
Health Inequalitites
describes differences and variations on health indicators and outcomes between individuals across groups. Health inequalities are linked to racial disparities in rates of illness and death. This is socially significant as health inequalities lie in understanding how factors such as socioeconomic status, race gender and geography impact access to healthcare, outcomes and overall well-being. This reveals how marginalized groups face higher rates of illness and lower life expectancies due to barriers of healthcare access.
class
a set or category of things having some property or attribute in common and differentiated from others by kind, type, or quality. An example of this would be the upper class whom are the wealthiest in society, often possessing significant wealth, ownership or high positions. This concept is socially significant because it establishes the differences in wealth, income, education and occupation creating hierarchical divisions in society ultimate affecting individuals access to resources, opportunities and social mobility
Code red series
a project highlighting the stark of health disparities. It shows how life expectancy, disease rates and overall health outcomes vary based on neighborhood income levels. An example would be neighborhoods in industrial areas are cheaper because decreased life quality comes from it. This is significant as the concept lies in the ability to raise awareness of systematic inequalities within urban settings, prompting local governments and health organizations addressing these issues effectively.
Means of production
refers to physical, non humane elements used in the creation of goods and services. In Marxism the concept is central to discussions about control and ownership, when someone owns production they have power over the economy and the distribution of wealth in society. An example of this would be a factory that creates car, the technology used are owned by capitalist, and the workers are the proletariat, they operate the machines but don’t on them, selling their labor for wage. This is socially significant as the means of production help explain the structural foundations of wealth, power and class disparities in society, who holds economic power in society is determined by who cotrnols and owns producion.
Productive work
work that creates goods or services that contribute to the economy, that generates wealth and profit or useful profits. This form of work produces something that has meaning and satisfies needs or wants. An example of this would be agriculture, farmers who cultivate crops and rise livestock for food of production. This is significant as it allows for an understanding of social inequality by shedding light on how labor is valued, compensated and distributed across different social groups.
Proletariat Vs. Bourgeoisie
the proletariat is the working class and the bourgeoise is the owners. These concepts are central to Marxist theory and refer to two distinct social classes that are I conflict within capitalist society. An example of this would be corporate executives which are the bourgeoisie and they are high ranking officials who make decisions and earn substantial salaries based on their performance. An example of proletariat would be retail workers, the cashiers and sales in stores who receive hourly pay and have limited control over their working conditions. This is socially significant for understanding social inequality because it highlights the dynamics of class struggle, economic power and social relations within capitalist societies.
Alienaition of work
a concept associated with Marx referring to the disconnection that workers experience in a capitalist system. This occurs when workers become detached for the products of their labors, process and own human potential.
- Product: not being able to afford the product
- Process: not connected to the decision making of the process.
- Other: work is to be social, enjoyable and fun but owners diide workers.n
- species being: we do the same thing everyday–drains life out of u.
This is socially significant as alienation from works the ways where capitalist labor system contributes to social inequality. These four types of alienation we can identify structural barriers that prevent people from fully participating in society and achieving their potential.
Surplus value
concept in marxist economic theory that refers to the difference between values produced labor and the wages to paid to the workers for it, resulting in profit. Marx defines this concept as the owners extract labor from workers in the process of production for a profit. the total value produces- wages= profit after paying wages. This is significant in understanding social inequality of economic power dynamics. revealing the power dynamics in the labor market where capitalist hold power over wages and working conditions. This power imbalance leads to policies that Favour capital over labor.
Equality vs, Equity
equality: each individual or group is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity: recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the same exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. This is socially significant as equity has supported based on individuals needs while equality offers the same resources to everyone not addressing existing disparities.
Meritocracy
government or the holding of power by people selected on the basis of their ability. An example of this are promotions based on employees skills and performances rather than seniority, those who work hard are rewarded higher positions. It promotes the ideology than success is achieved through effort and talent motivating people to strive for excellence, however it can create systematic inequalities because not everyone starts with the same opportunities.
Imposter syndrome
persistent inability to believe that success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved because of one’s own efforts or skills. An example of this is a high qualified women in a male dominated industry who doubts her abilities despite her accomplishments and recognition from others. The significance of this is understanding how systematic barriers, discrimination, underrepresentation and unequal access to resources all contribute to feelings of self-doubt in marginalized individuals.
Ideology
set of ideas, values and beliefs that describe, explain or justify aspects of the social world. This is socially significant as the concept lies in understanding how dominant belief systems and cultural narratives justify, reinforce or challenge existing power structures. Ideologies shape perceptions of inequality, by normalizing hierarchies as natural or deserved.
Types of control
Proletariat: term for working class in capitalist system. Bourgeoise: large scale capitals class (owning class). Petty Bourgeoise: Marx term or small scale capitalist class (famers etc.). This is socially significant as the types of control reveal how power and economic dominance is distributed in capitalist societies. These concepts illuminate how class division maintain social inequalities and drive economic disparities offering insight into the causes of social stratification.
Decarceration
reducing the number of people incarceration in jails and prisons. A large # of people who arent a risk to society should be released form prison with the use of home arret rather than jail sentences. This is socially significant as the concept lies in understanding how the criminal justice system affects marginalized communities especially those of colour and lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Nelson mandela rules
1955—UN standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners, set out guidelines for humane treatment emphasizing dignity and rights. This is socially significant as it emphasizes humane treatment and recognizing their rights highlighting how systematic injustices disproportionality effect marginalized groups
Systemic racism
industrialized policies and practices within societal systems such as education, healthcare and criminal justice, all these perpetuate racial inequalities and discrimination. This concept is socially significant as it illuminates how deeply embedded racial biases and discriminatory practices shape societal structures contributing to persistent disparities.
False Consciousness Vs. Class Consciousness
false consciousness is when one is unaware of their class, they are so oppressed they don’t recognize the oppression. Class consciousness is when you are aware of your class and recognize the factors that contribute to status, income, occupation, education and social background. The social significance of class consciousness and false consciousness provides insights into dynamics of social inequality. Understanding these concepts helps identify the factors that contribute to collective empowerment ad perpetuation of inequities
Base Vs. Superstructure argument
marxist theory that explains the relationship between economic structures and social institutions. Base argument is the material and economic foundation of society and how capitalism shapes society. It involves the means of production, and relations of production. The superstructure argument involves the social, political and ideological systems and institutions that are shaped by the economic base. This is socially significant as it emphasizes the interconnectedness of economic systems and social institutions. It explains how social inequalities are perpetuated and how change can occur through shifts in either the economic base or ideological structure.
