Sociology 202 Final

Stratification

the ranking of entire groups of people that perpetuates unequal rewards and life chances in society

Slavery

economic form of inequality where people are property to others

Caste system

stratification system that is based on heredity with little movement allowed across strata

Estate (feudal) system

high-status groups own land and have power based on their noble birth

Social class systems

a group of people who share a similar economic position in society based on their wealth and income

Structural functionalist perspective on stratification

the cause of stratification lies in society's need for order, inequality must somehow be necessary for society to run smoothly

Conflict view of stratification

social inequality is neither a societal necessity nor a source of social order. It is a primary source of conflict, coercion and unhappiness

Marxian Class Model

society is divided into two conflicting classes
Capitalists (Bourgeoisie) and workers

False consciousness

when powerful people create a false reality that is so influential that even the people harmed by it come to accept it

Structural Adjustments

Conditions that global financial organizations attach to countries to which they provide developmental aid

Competitive individualism

Cultural belief that those who succeed in society are those who work hardest and have the best abilities and that those who suffer don't work hard enough or lack necessary traits or abilities

Institutional racism

established laws, customs and practices that systematically reflect and produce racial inequalities in society, whether or not the individuals maintaining these practices have racist intentions

Neo-Marxist Models of stratification

what is important is not only who owns the means of production but who can exercise direct influence over others

Relative poverty

one's economic position compared with the living standards of the majority in a given society

Personal racism

the expression of racist attitudes or behaviors by individual people

Quiet discrimination

subtle and indirect feelings of discomfort, uneasiness, and fear which motivate avoidance rather than blatant discrimination

Racial transparency

by having no color people have social advantages