Week 1: The State of Inequality in the U.S. Flashcards
Farley, Chapters 5 and 10
1
Q
Distribution of population by race/ethnicity in the U.S in 2010?
A
Non-Hispanic White: 64% Black: 13% Hispanic: 16% Asian: 5% American Indian: 0.9%
2
Q
Change in distribution of race/ethnicity in the U.S. since 1960?
A
White - decreased
Hispanic - increased
Black - increased
Asian - increased
3
Q
Wealth
A
Assets, stocks, real estate
- important in breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality
4
Q
Political representation
A
House of Representatives
Black: 9%
Hispanic: 5%
Overall Elected Officials
Black: 1.8%
Hispanic: 1%
2008 - First Black President Elected
5
Q
Caste System
A
- rigid system, no social mobility
- status defined by birth: ASCRIBED STATUS
- defined by religion (e.g., India), race (e.g., South Africa)
6
Q
Class System
A
- possibility of social mobility
- status defined by a person’s actions: ACHIEVED STATUS
- everyone has the same chance of mobility
7
Q
Paternalistic Race Relations
Slavery
A
- similar to caste system, ascribed status
- paternalism: minority as helpless
- no competition between groups
- no conflict: punishment and (perceived) acceptance
8
Q
Rigid Competitive Race Relations
1880s-1960s Jim Crow Laws
A
- ascribed status play large role
- more competition (jobs, housing)
- majority feels threatened, conflict between groups
- increased formal discrimination
9
Q
Fluid Competitive Race Relations
1960s - present
A
- similar to class system
- formal discrimination is illegal
- high level of competition, more conflict and protests
10
Q
Forms of initial contact
A
- Colonization
- Annexation (voluntary or involuntary), taking control of..
- Immigration (voluntary or involuntary)
11
Q
Conditions for the development of inequality
A
- ethnocentrism: view one’s own group as the norm (superior)
- competition or opportunity for exploitation
- unequal power
