Economy, Work, and Social Issues

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the lecture on economy, work, social issues, and the frameworks of understanding deviance and inequality. They will help in preparing for the exam.

Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private ownership of property, profit motive, free market competition, and minimal government intervention.

Structural Functionalism

A theoretical perspective that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.

Alienation

A concept from Karl Marx referring to the estrangement of individuals from their work, the products they produce, and their own self.

Monopoly

The exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a service or commodity, often leading to decreased competition.

Globalization

The process of growing interconnectedness among nations, particularly through trade, technology, and cultural exchange.

Offshoring

The practice of relocating business processes or production to another country to reduce costs.

Sweatshop

A workplace that violates labor laws, characterized by poor working conditions and exploitation.

Gig Work

Labor market characterized by short-term contracts or freelance work, often without the benefits of traditional employment.

McDonaldization

The process by which the principles of the fast-food industry dominate other sectors of society, emphasizing efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control.

Critical Race Theory

An intellectual movement that examines the intersection of race, law, and power in society.

Social Stratification

The hierarchical arrangement of individuals into social classes, often based on wealth, race, or education.

Deviance

Behavior that violates social norms and elicits a negative reaction from society.

Criminology

The scientific study of crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system.

Deterrence

A strategy to prevent criminal behavior through the threat of punishment.

Heteronormativity

The belief that heterosexual relationships are the norm, leading to the marginalization of non-heterosexual orientations.

Intersectionality

A framework for understanding how various social identities (such as race, gender, and class) intersect and contribute to systemic inequality.

Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private ownership of property, profit motive, free market competition, and minimal government intervention.

Structural Functionalism

A theoretical perspective that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.

Alienation

A concept from Karl Marx referring to the estrangement of individuals from their work, the products they produce, and their own self.

Monopoly

The exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a service or commodity, often leading to decreased competition.

Globalization

The process of growing interconnectedness among nations, particularly through trade, technology, and cultural exchange.

Offshoring

The practice of relocating business processes or production to another country to reduce costs.

Sweatshop

A workplace that violates labor laws, characterized by poor working conditions and exploitation.

Gig Work

Labor market characterized by short-term contracts or freelance work, often without the benefits of traditional employment.

McDonaldization

The process by which the principles of the fast-food industry dominate other sectors of society, emphasizing efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control.

Critical Race Theory

An intellectual movement that examines the intersection of race, law, and power in society.

Social Stratification

The hierarchical arrangement of individuals into social classes, often based on wealth, race, or education.

Deviance

Behavior that violates social norms and elicits a negative reaction from society.

Criminology

The scientific study of crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system.

Deterrence

A strategy to prevent criminal behavior through the threat of punishment.

Heteronormativity

The belief that heterosexual relationships are the norm, leading to the marginalization of non-heterosexual orientations.

Intersectionality

A framework for understanding how various social identities (such as race, gender, and class) intersect and contribute to systemic inequality.

Socialism

An economic system characterized by social ownership and democratic control of the means of production, often emphasizing cooperation and equality.

Conflict Theory

A theoretical perspective that views society as a competition for limited resources, emphasizing power struggles and inequality.

Symbolic Interactionism

A sociological perspective that examines how individuals interact through the shared meanings of symbols in their daily lives.

Social Mobility

The movement of individuals, families, or groups through a system of social hierarchy or stratification.

Anomie

A state of normlessness, often experienced by individuals or society when social norms are weak, conflicting, or absent, leading to deviance and social disorganization.