Neo-Weberian Explanations of Inequality Flashcards
Neo-Weberian Explanations of Inequality:
Exam Intro (Introduction to neo-Weberian theory)
Sociologists who have attempted to adapt Weberian ideas and apply them to British society
Neo-Weberian Explanations of Inequality:
Key Points & Theorists
Goldthorpe
Class Scheme
Market Situation
Class Scales
Government Adaptation of Goldthorpe’s class scheme
Parkin - Ethnic minority manual workers
Barron & Norris - Dual Labour Market Theory
Bradley DLMT Eval
Rex & Tomlinson - Black underclass
N/R Black Underclass Eval
Neo-Weberian Explanations of Inequality:
Goldthorpe’s Class Scheme - Definition
System that classifies the population into different social classes
:) - Widely used in social research
Neo-Weberian Explanations of Inequality:
Goldthorpe’s Class Scheme - Market Situation
Is used to distinguish between class positions for different groups within society
- Groups with advantage market situations (skills which are scarce & in high-demand = better position than those whose market situation is much weaker
WORK SITUATION FOR WORKERS:
- Amount of job security that people enjoy / control over work individuals had
- Whether individuals managed / supervised other workers
7 CLASS SCALES PRODUCED - Simplified into 3 classes:
1. Service class
[professionals / large employers / managers]
2. Intermediate class
[routine white collar workers - clerks / small employers / self-employed]
3. Working class
Neo-Weberian Explanations of Inequality:
Goldthorpe’s Class Scheme - Government Adaptation
INFLUENTIAL - AMENDED VERSION = ADOPTED BY GOV
Government national office of statistics:
NATIONAL STATISTICS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
- Adds 8th social class - ignored by Goldthorpe
- Takes into account those who have never had paid work / are long-term unemployed
Neo-Weberian Explanations of Inequality:
Parkin
Ethnic minority manual workers = technically apart of the w/c but also face racism from the white w/c
- They experience both status & class inequality
- Even those in m/c jobs may experience prejudice from white m/c
Neo-Weberian Explanations of Inequality:
Barron & Norris - Theory
DUAL LABOUR MARKET THEORY
Economy = divided into 2 sectors
Primary Sector - Secure, well-paid jobs dominated by white men
Secondary Sector - Low-paid, unskilled, part-time, insecure, 0 hour contract jobs dominated by women & ethnic minorities
Neo-Weberian Explanations of Inequality:
Barron & Norris - Effect of Dual Labour Market
Women & ethnic minorities = less likely to gain the status primary employees have because employers often have sexist & beliefs
- On the basis of those beliefs: employers may practise discrimination against them when they apply for jobs / deny them extra responsibilities & promotion
- Process of social closure @ work
- Creates barriers for women @ ethnic minorities
Neo-Weberian Explanations of Inequality:
Barron & Norris Example
E.g. Unsuitability of women workers: women’s work may be interrupted by pregnancy / childcare - less likely to train / promote women
Legal & political frameworks protecting women & ethnic minorities from prejudice in the workplace is relatively weak
- E.g. 950 cases of employer racism was investigated by employer tribunals between 2010 - 2011
- Only 16% of cases were successful
Neo-Weberian Explanations of Inequality:
Barron & Norris - Evaluation
BRADLEY - Fails to explain inequalities that exist within the same sector
- Teaching: primary sector yet women within this profession are less likely than men to gain high status jobs within teaching
- Less likely to become a part of the senior leadership within schools
Neo-Weberian Explanations of Inequality:
Rex & Tomlinson - Theory
Black underclass created - consisting of people who felt marginalised & disconnected from mainstream society
Neo-Weberian Explanations of Inequality:
Rex & Tomlinson - Effect of black underclass
Black underclass experience of status inequality was further compounded by overzealous policing which was experienced as harassment
Due to the low status of ethnic minority groups, their material disadvantage = far greater than white w/c
SO MUCH GREATER THAT IS CUT THEM OFF FROM THE WHITE W/C GROUP
- Feelings had potential to overrupt in the form of inner-city riots
Neo-Weberian Explanations of Inequality:
Rex & Tomlinson - Separate Underclass
Ethnic minorities formed a separate underclass beneath the w/c:
- Disadvantaged with jobs / education / housing
- Disadvantages were worsened by the hostility directed at them by white societies (including the white w/c)
Neo-Weberian Explanations of Inequality:
Rex & Tomlinson - Eval
:( - N/R: The culture of some ethnic minorities are to blame for the poverty & unemployment they experience
