significance of work and worklessness

Question 1

what does Weber say about work and life chances?

Answer 1

Weber argued that life chances depend on 3 factors: class (economic position), status (social prestige), and party (political power)
- skilled workers tend to have better income and social status, improving their access to healthcare, education and housing
- provides a multidimensional understanding of inequality beyond economics
- critics argue class remains the most significant factor shaping life chances

Question 2

what is the impact of worklessness?

Answer 2

worklessness (unemployment or inability to find stable work) leads to poverty, social exclusion, mental and physical health problems
- Wilkinson and Pickett: societies with higher inequality have worse health and social outcomes
- highlights how economic conditions affect wellbeing
- some argue welfare provision can mitigate negative effects

Question 3

how does globalisation affect work?

Answer 3

globalisation leads to outsourcing, deindustrialisation in developed countries, and growth of service and gig economies
- UK call centres moved to India for cheaper labour; rise of Deliveroo/ Uber work as precarious, flexible jobs
- Standing: describes growth of the “precariat”- a class of insecure workers
- offers more consumer choice and job flexibility, but often reduces job security and worker rights