Chapter 2 Flashcards
(29 cards)
Meritocracy
A nation where the best person can rise to the top in any situation, despite his or her antecedent
Nations by Income
high-income
middle-income (upper-middle income and lower-middle income)
low-income nations.
absolute poverty
a condition that exists when people do not have the means to secure the most basic necessities of life (food, clothing, and shelter).
relative poverty
a condition that exists when people can afford basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter but cannot maintain an average standard of living in comparison to that of other members of their society or group.
Types of poverty
absolute
relative
Social stratification
Hierarchical arrangement of large social groups on the basis of their control over basic resources
Karl Marx model
means of production model
Max Weber’s model
multidimensional model
In Marx’s model, class position is determined by:
people’s relationship to the means of production
Marx seperates capitalist society into two classes:
the bourgeoisie
capitalist class
“LIFE CHANCES”
the extent to which individuals have access to important societal resources such as food, clothing, shelter, education, and health care.
Wealth
Wealth is the value of all economic assets, including income and savings, personal property, and income-producing property, minus one’s liabilities or debts.
Income
Income refers to the economic gain derived from wages, salaries, and income transfers.
power
ability of people to achieve their goals despite opposition from others
Prestige/honour/status
respect, esteem, or regard accorded to an individual or group by others.
3 sources of power (weber)
CLASS
STATUS
PARTY
how do marx and weber differ
Marx - more deterministic, focused on capitalism as a whole (system as a whole)
Weber - focused on the way in which social systems were stratified at the level of individuals/social groups”
Marx believed that people would eventually revolt
because capitalism is conflicting and problematic. wouldn’t last. Workers will rise and take back the means of production (like in agricultura revolution)
Marx’s model
Inequality and poverty are inevitable by-products of the exploitation of workers by capitalists.
CLASS DIVISIONS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT SOURCES OF SOCIAL CONFLICT
most important source of conflict according to Marx
class divisions
3 ways in which Marx and Weber Differed
Situations in the marketplace
Status vs Class.
Overthrowing capitalism vs Reducing class struggle
Max Weber’s multidimensional model:
WEALTH
INCOME
POWER
PRESTIGE
…determine stratification
Max Weber’s multidimensional model:
Wealth, Income, Power and Prestige determine stratification.
Class situation (weber)
the relationship of a person or number of people to a particular market, this in turn, has an important effect on the lives of these people.
