Social Justice and Inequality Flashcards
(63 cards)
Who was Ted Rogers?
- CEO of Rogers Communications
- 5th wealthiest person in Canada
- Credited his success to his willingness to take risks
- Saw himself as a self-made billionaire, starting from scratch
- Family was wealthy before he was
NOT RAGS TO RICHES
Indigenous Incarceration
- 80% of prison population in Saskatchewan Correctional Centre were Indigenous, 20% were gang members
- Indigenous inmates are routinely classified as higher risk and higher need
- Often released later in their sentence (low parole grant rates)
- More likely to return to prison
What is Social Inequality?
The unequal distribution of valued resources, rewards, and positions in a society
What is social stratification?
The way society groups people into different layers (classes, levels)based on factors like wealth, power, and status.
What is social differentiation?
Social characteristics used to differentiate people and divide them into different categories, which have implications for social inequality
Origin of social stratification
- Dates back 5000 years ago among hunter-gatherer ancestors
- Material wealth was not the focus because tribes were nomadic
- Stratification was based on age and sex
-Horticultural and pastoral communities emerge - Differences become more pronounced with emergence of industrial and post-industrial ages
What is a closed system?
- Allows for very little change in social position
- Boundaries between class levels are rigid
- Positions are set by ascribed status
Ascribed status = social positions assigned to a person without regard for their characteristics or talents
What is an open system?
- Flexible
- Influenced by achieved status
- Allows for social mobility upwards or downwards
What is Intergenerational Mobility?
- Social movement experienced by family members from one generation to the next
What is Intragenerational mobility?
Social movement of individuals in their own lifetime
Slavery
- Most extreme form of social stratification
- Closed system in which people are owned and treated as property
- Specialization of tasks intensified social inequality between labourers and their employees
- Society began to value certain jobs and manual labourers became the least respected
Class System
- More of an open system than slavery or caste
- Boundaries between classes are vaguely defined
- If a person gains education and skill, they can move between social levels
- Status comes from achievement
What is horizontal mobility?
When people experience gain or loss in position that does not change their place in the class structure
What is vertical mobility?
When people experience a gain or loss in position that causes change (up or down) in their class structure
Conflict Theory - Marx
Karl Marx theorized that inequality is bad, avoidable, and unnecessary. He acknowledges inequality exists, but believes it is not positive. Inequality leads to inevitable clashes between social groups, such as the Proletariat vs. Bourgeoisie
Conflict Theory - Weber
Influenced by Marx.
Focused on class, status, and power. Theorized that class is a major source of inequality and conflict and insisted that no single characteristic defines where you stand in society.
It doesn’t matter how much money you have unless you also hold power.
What is power?
The ability to exercise your will over another person. You need to hold power over people to be able to influence them.
What is class?
People who have similar wealth and income levels
What is a status group?
Group of people with the same lifestyle or prestige ranking. Can be formed based on education, occupation, income, etc.
Functionalism
Inequality is inevitable, positive, and necessary for proper functioning in society.
Inequality creates stability
Davis and Moore - Functionalism
Inequality is inevitable, necessary, and positive for societal stability.
Society has roles of varying importance—more vital roles require more skill/training and receive greater rewards.
High rewards motivate people to fill critical positions (e.g., doctors, dentists).
This creates a meritocracy—where advancement is based on talent, ability, and performance, not social class or wealth.
Key idea: Unequal rewards ensure society functions efficiently by matching the most qualified individuals to the most important roles.
Durkheim
Stated individuals identify with society as a whole and see themselves as part of the bigger picture
Classes or status groups give a person an identity and helps them understand their role.
Tumin and the Principles of Social Stratification
Importance of position is not always determined by high salary or level of prestige.
Economic reward and prestige are not the only means used to encourage people to enter critical positions
Personal pleasure and intrinsic satisfaction play a role
Ability does not equal success, gender and class are better predictors
Symbolic Interactionism
People interact by interpreting and assigning meaning to language and actions.
Focus is on shared symbols and how they shape social interactions.
Power is negotiated in relationships, not fixed—depends on individuals’ capacities and interests.
Social hierarchy forms as people interpret and respond to differences in talent and ability, linking these to higher class status.
