Dimensions Of Inequality: Social Class

Question 1

What does Giddens and Diamond argue about social class?

Answer 1

• social class is no longer an important source of inequality/identity in the 21st century, suggests that society is meritocratic, equality opportunity is now the norm
• social background is now less important than ever before
• argument appeared in a book they edited (The new egalitarians)- the people who believe in equality- associated with left wing politics
• view of them is that disadvantage today is no longer associated with class, but with disparities between the the social experiences of particular social groups, e.g ethnic groups

Question 2

What does Chapman argue social class?

Answer 2

• suggests sociologists known as ‘new traditionlaists’ argue that ‘equality of opportunity’ is generally undermined by the main cause of social problems in the uk today: economic and social inequalities brought about the free- market economy - social class is still a central problem

Question 3

What does Jones argues about social class?

Answer 3

• in the last few decades there have been a growing demonisation of working class ‘chavs’, members of an ‘underclass’ who are unemployed and unemployable happy to live off benefits
• systematic destruction of WC communities, which has created areas of low quality accommodation where few jobs are available- low paid

Question 4

What has happened to income inequality since 1980?

Answer 4

• Richest top 10% earners get a 62% rise
• poorest 10% got a 17% decline
• Uk today is 5th most unequal in terms of income - remained constant since 2010

Question 5

Why have income inequalities widened in the uk over the last 30 years?

Answer 5

• class and health:
• 2010 Marmort report found that people living in the poorest neighbourhoods in the uk dies 7 years earlier
• average difference in the disability free expectancy between the 2 was 17 years

Class and education:
- education is the prime engine for social mobility
- meritocracy in the uk is undermined by the existence of private schools - they reproduce the privileges. Of economic elite, generation by generation
- 7% privately educated occupy 45% Oxbridge places and other top uniiversities
- cultural capital is linked to this