Chapter Seven

Question 1

Stratification

Answer 1

The hierarchical organization of a society into groups with differing levels of power, social prestige, or status and economical resources

Question 2

Conflict Theory

Answer 2

The idea that conflict between competing interests is the basic, animating force of social change, and society in general

Question 3

Bourgeois

Answer 3

The capitalist class

Question 4

Proletariat

Answer 4

The working class

Question 5

Structural Functionalism

Answer 5

A theory in which societies many parts - institutions, norms, traditions and so on - mesh to produce a stable working whole that evolved over time (Talcott Parsons)

Question 6

Dialectic

Answer 6

A two directional relationship, following a pattern in which an original statement or thesis is countered with an antithesis, leading to a conclusion that unites the strengths of the original position and the counterarguments

Question 7

Progressive Tax

Answer 7

A tax rate that increases as taxable income increases

Question 8

Status Hierarchy System

Answer 8

A system of stratification based on social prestige

Question 9

Socioeconomic Status

Answer 9

An individual’s position in a stratified social order

Question 10

Social Prestige

Answer 10

measure of various characteristics of an individual that is more highly valued in society

Question 11

Intersectionality

Answer 11

The idea that our social identities, such as race, gender, class, sexuality, and more, intersect to create unique and complex experiences of privilege and oppression

Question 12

Standards of Equality

Answer 12

In a Canadian context, the standards of equality are equality of opportunity, equality of condition, and equality of outcome

Question 13

How is Canada stratified today?

Answer 13

Wealth inequality and poverty rates
- Gender
- Geographical Location
- Ethnicity

Question 14

Social Reproduction

Answer 14

the process by which existing social inequalities, such as class, race, and gender, are passed from one generation to the next

Question 15

Social Mobility

Answer 15

The movement between different positions within a system of social stratification in any given society

Question 16

Horizontal Mobility

Answer 16

social mobility means a group or individual transitioning from one social status to another situated more or less on the same rung of the ladder

Question 17

Vertical Mobility

Answer 17

social mobility refers to the rise or fall of an individual (or group) from one social stratum to another

Question 18

Affirmative Action

Answer 18

refers to policies and practices aimed at addressing historical and ongoing discrimination by providing preferential treatment or opportunities to individuals from underrepresented or marginalized groups

Question 19

Meritocracy

Answer 19

A society where status and mobility are based on individual attributes, ability, and achievement

Question 20

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Answer 20

Private property = main source of inequality

Question 21

Ferguson & Millar

Answer 21

Property = motivation for hard work & societal efficiency

Question 22

Thomas Malthus

Answer 22

Equal resource distribution = unsustainable population & conflicts

Question 23

Georg W.F. Hegel (dialectic)

Answer 23

Introduced master-slave dialectic, and predicted eventual social evolution towards greater equality

Question 24

Karl Marx

Answer 24

• Emphasis on historical materialism
• Class struggle: key driver of social change
• Inequality due to exploitation within capitalism
• Stratification is based solely on class
• There are only two politically important classes: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat

Question 25

Durkheim

Answer 25

Society’s components collaborate for stability, and inequality assigns capable individuals to essential roles

Question 26

Bourdieu

Answer 26

Education, family background, and social networks

Question 27

Equality of Opportunity

Answer 27

The idea that everyone has an equal chance to achieve wealth, social prestige, and power because the rules of the game , so to speak, are the same for everyone

Question 28

Equality of Condition

Answer 28

The idea that everyone should have an equal starting point

Question 29

Equality of Outcome

Answer 29

The idea that each player must end up with the same amount regardless of the fairness of the “game”

Question 30

Estate System

Answer 30

A politically based system of stratification characterized by limited social mobility

Question 31

Caste System

Answer 31

A religion-based system of stratification characterized by no social mobility

Question 32

Class System

Answer 32

An economically based hierarchical system characterized by cohesive oppositional groups and somewhat loose social mobility

Question 33

Status Hierarchy System

Answer 33

A system of stratification based on social prestige

Question 34

Structural Mobility

Answer 34

Mobility that is inevitable from changes in the economy

Question 35

Exchange Mobility

Answer 35

Mobility resulting from the swapping of jobs