Topic 1 - theories of inequality Flashcards
Introduction?
This topic examines how sociologists explain social inequalities, such as gender and age, through various theories and approaches. However, not all forms of inequality can be fully explained by these theories.
Social theories?
Social theories aim to explain how society functions and why people act as they do, identifying themes and patterns in social life. When studying inequality, it’s important to recognize that no single theory provides a complete explanation, but each offers valuable insights into the social world.
Consensus approaches to inequality?
Consensus approaches to inequality, such as those by Durkheim, Functionalists, and the New Right, view society as a hierarchy where wealth and income differences are linked to individual abilities or the societal value of their work. The New Right believes the poor are responsible for their position, seeing them as lazy and reliant on welfare. However, this view oversimplifies inequality and ignores structural factors. Feminists argue that gender disparities in power and wealth contribute to inequality, and consensus approaches wrongly imply women are less worthy. Similarly, these approaches can unjustly justify ethnic inequality.
Conflict approachees to social inequality?
Conflict approaches to social inequality, such as those by Marxists, Feminists, and race theorists, view society as divided into competing groups for power and wealth. Marxists focus on class inequality linked to the ownership of production resources, while Feminists highlight gender inequality. These approaches recognize the role of social structures in creating disadvantages and the mechanisms, like ideological control, that normalize inequality. However, they are criticized for oversimplifying inequality by focusing on a single factor (class, race, or gender) and for being deterministic, assuming certain groups will always face inequality. In reality, inequality is often more complex, with individuals sometimes overcoming disadvantages and moving between social classes.
Interactionist approaches?
Weberians and neo-Weberians argue that inequality varies based on social characteristics like wealth or class status. Symbolic interactionists and post-modernists, however, deny structural inequalities, viewing society as made up of complex interactions where individuals create their own meanings.
Specific inequalities?
In the 1970s, growing concern about social inequality led marginalized groups, like women and ethnic minorities, to demand equal rights. This influenced the sociology of inequality, as theorists focused on specific issues such as age, gender, ethnicity, and social class. Feminism became a prominent movement, and other minorities also sought recognition, contributing to the development of theories on specific inequalities.
Using theories to criticise theories?
To evaluate theories of inequality, consider how well they explain it. Not all theories address all forms of inequality—feminism focuses on gender, Marxism on class, and post-modernists view inequality as a matter of personal perception. Theories also differ on whether inequality is seen as negative; for example, functionalists don’t judge inequality, while feminists view gender inequality as oppressive. Marxists see inequality in terms of wealth and class. To critically assess a theory, compare it with other theoretical perspectives on inequality.
