Inequality Flashcards
(36 cards)
Define social inequality.
The unequal life changes and lifestyles.
Define social profiling.
Social profiling uses areas of social life to show the likelihood of certain groups experiencing poorer life chances.
Name 3 examples of areas of social life.
Any 3 from:
Education Media Work The media Politics Youth The family Criminal justice system
What is the difference between inequality of opportunity and inequality of outcome?
Inequality of opportunity is unequal life chances, whereas inequality of outcome is when people appear in social institutions in the same proportion that they appear in the whole of society.
Name two of Karl Marx’s ideas on social inequality.
Capitalism’s exploitation of the bourgeoisie. Explained though the means of production.
The reserve army of labour.
What is an argument against Karl Marx’s theory on capitalism?
Although countries like Russia have adopted a communist society, examples of them becoming corrupt shows that the theory isn’t fully justified and doesn’t work.
Who does Murray blame social inequality on?
Murray blames the individual and their laziness.
Explain the ‘trickledown’ theory.
An idea from Thatcher.
If the rich have lots of money and spends lots, then the wealth will trickledown through society and benefit everyone.
Evaluate Thatcher’s trickledown economics.
An idea that was supposed to benefit everyone in society in reality only increased the gap between the rich and the poor.
Outline Murray’s theory.
The underclass.
People relying on welfare become lazy and bring up new generations who feel that they don’t need to work.
How does Sugarman explain working class values and how they experience inequality.
Inequality experienced by the poor due to cultural deprivation.
They want instant gratification and don’t see the value of hard work to plan for the future.
Who would disagree with Sugarman’s theory on working class values?
Howard.
Families want to invest in their future but face sickness and health issues.
Name the three sociologists from The New Right that can be used to explain social inequality.
Thatcher - Trickledown Murray - Underclass Sugarman - Working class values
Outline The New Right’s overall views on social inequality.
The New Right share the functionalist view of society being meritocratic. They believe that people have a choice within a free market and that people are responsible for their own actions. They see that welfare is a lifestyle choice and undermines personal responsibility.
Outline Postmodernist overall views on social inequality.
Postmodernists assume that inequality today is more about status than class or other social factors.
Name the three sociologists from Postmodernism that can be used to explain social inequality.
Lyotard - Fragmented society
John Lee - Death of grand narratives
Blaikie - Positive aging
What is Lyotard’s explanation of social inequality
Lyotard developed Weber’s theory of a fragmented society.
Class, gender, age and other social categories are meaningless today as social groups no longer share collective norms and values.
People feel unequal due to material choices advertised by the media. They realise what they lack compared to others.
What does John Lee mean when he talks about the death of grand narratives?
There is no longer one explanation for inequality as society is too individual.
Lee criticises other theories for failing to recognise the choice made by the individual in their inequality.
What is a criticism of John Lee’s theory of social inequality?
It doesn’t offer it’s own explanation of inequality, it only criticises others. This could appear to deny inequality even exists.
How do the Postmodernists Lyotard and Lee differ in their theories?
Lyotard offers an explanation whereas Lee only directs against other theories.
What is Blaikie’s explanation of social inequality?
Consumer culture changes stereotypes about age.
Older people are using their consumer power to stay youthful though spending on cosmetics and leisure.
Retiring has become something to look forward to.
What is a negative and a positive of Postmodernist Blaikie’s theory?
Not everyone can afford to use consumer power to escape inequality.
It takes social change into account so may be more contemporary than previous ideas.
How would Blaikie disagree with the Functionalists Cummins and Henry?
Blaikie would criticise their opinion of age inequality existing in society because the stereotype for age has gone. The idea of disengaging from the workplace isn’t because of age inequality but because retiring is more desirable.
How would Marxists disagree with Postmodernist views on social inequality?
Marxists would disagree as they feel that inequality is down to capitalism, not the individual.
