The New Right and inequality

Question 1

Define free market

Answer 1

without government intervention

Question 2

Define indivualism

Answer 2

induvial pursuit of wealth collectivism = opposite

Question 3

Define Laissez-Faire

Answer 3

let it be

Question 4

Type of theory

Answer 4

Macro theory
Positive about capitalism
Conservative
Like functionalists – view that some are better than others

Question 5

The New Right and politics

Answer 5

Associated with politicians like Margret Thatcher in (UK) Ronald Regan (USA)

Question 6

New Right view of inequality

Answer 6

That inequality is a problem for society
believing inequality is inevitable and useful for society
Induvials - responsible for own life
Push for a laissez-faire approach to running the economy

Question 7

Free market

Answer 7

without government intervention, where competition between firms ensures choice is undesirable e.g. direct taxation limits people’s choices about how to spend their money

Question 8

The New Right is both economically libertarian and socially authoritarian, examples of this contradiction

Answer 8

Anti-homosexuality (conservative views)
Adoption
Greater powers to police

Question 9

Trickle down theory

Answer 9

wealthy pay less tax and make more profit, the money they spend will stimulate the economy and ultimately create more jobs – everyone will benefit

Question 10

Why is Trickle down theory criticised?

Answer 10

Heavily criticised as many sociologists would argue this unfair
Tax evasion would massively effect the trickle of cash from top to bottom

Question 11

Murray

Answer 11

Underclass theory
claim a UK benefit system means people make a rational choice to stay poor (easier)
State dependent, lazy and selfish culture
make welfare low enough to make life uncomfortable

Question 12

What did Murray say about the underclass?

Answer 12

“Defined by their behaviour. Their homes are littered and unkempt. The men are unable to hold down a job. Drunkenness is common”

Question 13

Why would Owen Jones criticise Murray?

Answer 13

the underclass are demonised by the media as a culture, the underclass engage in poverty porn

Question 14

Criticisms or Murray

Answer 14

stereotypical views of the poor
stereotypical views of the poor
Evidence for dependency culture is limited
Many induvials born into poverty move out of it
Often based on assumed inheritance of intelligence
Is often racist in its links to ethnic minorities

Question 15

Coates and Sillburn

Answer 15

Cycle of deprivation – suggests that the poor transmit poverty to their children through poor socialisation

Question 16

Cultural deprivation theory

Answer 16

argue that the poor have a culture that keeps them from success

Question 17

O’Brian

Answer 17

thinkers from the New Right applied concepts from Victorian times
Deserving (of help) poor people – poor for reasons beyond their control, struggle to work their way out of poverty
Undeserving of poor – live by scrounging, they spend their money on drinks and drugs

Question 18

Jenks

Answer 18

the new right tens to see those who exist on welfare benefits as being undeserving poor because:
They are more criminal than others
They refuse to do well in school/uneducated
They are unwilling to work, and insist on living off benefits

Question 19

Dependency culture - Saunders

Answer 19

the existence of the welfare state and benefits may support poor people but it creates inequality by trapping these people in poverty and what he has termed this as dependency culture

Question 20

Why does Saunders believe a dependancy culture has formed?

Answer 20

benefits are so high - people feel no reason to work
poor that aren’t working, they can do tax-free cash in hand work and commit crimes 
underclass - uneducated 
children of middle-class parents are born smarter and therefore, more likely to achieve success in society

Question 21

How do Marshall and swift, Breen and Goldthorpe criticise Saunders?

Answer 21

he ignores class destinations, and some people are trapped in poverty

Question 22

Evaluation of New Right theories

Answer 22

X new right are blaming the victims of social deprivation,
X little evidence trickle down theory is happening
(100 people have the same wealth as 18 million)
X NR claim the nuclear family is the best place - dark side of the family (¼ women – domestic violence)
X popular with governments for blaming the underclass
X families cannot rely on state - Wallace the burden falls on women to care for sick and elderly
X people who abuse welfare system by making fraudulent payments, rich avoid paying taxes e.g., paradise papers (the queen