Social inequality

Social inequality

The systematic unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, power, and status among individuals in a society

Egalitarian society

Has a high degree of equality between social groups. E.g. income differences, education system, healthcare

Horizontal differences

Being inside or outside a social system. E.g. employed vs. unemployed

Vertical differences

Differences between roles and individuals that are placed above or below each other in society

Social rank

The position a social role has in a hierarchal society

Social status

The degree of esteem or respect one has within the social system.

Stratification

Society’s hierarchal ranking of people based on different factors

Pierre Bourdieu

Capital & Habitus

Capital

Resources such as money, property, prestige and social networks that give one power and advantages

Social capital

Social networks, contacts, value of relationships

Cultural capital

Knowledge, skills, cultural references, understanding of formal behavor

Economic capital

Money, property, cars, shares, valuables

Habitus

A deeply internalized understanding of what one thinks they can become based on their capital

Karl Marx

Marxism, classes, inequality and alienation

Means of production

Resources that are used when producing goods and services

The Bourgeoisie

According to Marx, those who own the means of production - the higher class

The proletariat

According to Marx, the working class

Alienation - the proletariat

People work to survive, not as a creative and social activity. Workers become separated from what they produce

4 forms of alienation

Product, production process, creative and productive nature, one another

Functional statification

Differences in wages and status ensure that the most competent people are allocated to the most important and most responsible positions.

Meritocracy

A society based on merit

Social mobility

The movement between a society’s social hierarchy. Can either move up or down.

Occupational mobility

The opportunity to change professions

Educational mobility

The opportunity to attain higher education

Economic mobility

The opportunity to attain higher income