sociology exam 2 Flashcards
(108 cards)
capital
the resources that we use to get things we want and need
economic capital
financial resources that are available or converted into cash investments
soical mobility
the opportunity to move up or down in the economic hierarchy
proletariat
people employed by theirs who worked for a wage.
bourgeoise
owned the means of production
the people who employ the workers
means of production
Resources that could be used to create wealth. EX: land, factories, and money to invest.
labor
The work people can do with their bodies and minds
class consciousness
an understanding that they are members of a group with a shared economic interest
socialism
An economic system based on shared ownership of the resources used to create wealth that is then distributed by the governments for the enrichment of all.
service and information economy
an economy centered on jobs in which workers provide services or work with information
glass ceiling
.An invisible barrier that restricts upward mobility
glass floor
.an invisible barrier that restricts downward mobility
colorism
prejudice against and discrimination toward people with dark skin compared to those with light skin, regardless of race
why are foraging societies more egalitarian
Because the people relied on each other to succeed, and a person could only own as much as they could carry, unlike today. Social stratification came about when people discovered agriculture. Insecurity of if the food would be available led people to stockpile food and trade it for other goods.
what factor led to the creation of soical stratifications
wealth, power, and prestige.
what kind of economic system is capitalism
an economic system in which private individuals or businesses own capital goods.
What is Marx’s theory of capitalism and what is the dark side of capitalism that he reveals
Capitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of the resources used to create wealth and the right of individuals to profit personally. Marx predicted that workers would revolt against their employers and that capitalism would ultimately collapse. The dark side was that the rich were getting richer, and the poor were getting poorer.
What is “alienation” in Marx’s theory
why does he argue that workers in capitalist societies feel alienated toward their labor?
Alienation is the feeling of dissatisfaction and disconnection from the fruits of ones labor. He argues that since neither the profits or products of their work belong to them, they will feel disconnected
What is the crisis of capitalism predicted by Marx and what did he predict it would lead to
It is a coming catastrophic implosion from which capitalism would never recover. He believed it would lead to a shift from capitalism to socialism.
What were the characteristics of the Gilded Age? How are those characteristics related to free market capitalism?
The wealthiest people held a majority of the wealth. Free market capitalism allows people to garner immense levels of wealth
less taxes on the rich and 1980s we use less pay and monoploy in power
What are labor unions? What do they try to accomplish and why are they often resisted by capitalists?
Labor unions are bands of employees that fight for better working conditions and benefits. Capitalists resist these movements because it often keeps money our of the pockets of the elite.
What was the New Deal and what kind of changes did it create in American society? (Explain transfer payment, social safety net, the living wage, welfare capitalism, and other related concepts.)
jobs held by mostly black people were exempted from the new minimum wage laws.
Why were the new middle class in the New Deal era mostly white
Many of the policies excluded black people and only benefitted white people.
Why is the contemporary U.S. economy referred to as the New Gilded Age? What led to the emergence of this New Gilded Age?
We are entering the 2nd period of unusually high economic inequality. The process in getting rid of socialist policies through government, such as decreasing taxes, has led to this.
Worse paying conditions monpoloy of power