Social inequalities

Conflict Theory

A macro theory that focuses on how inequality creates power differences and keeps powerful groups in control

Structural Factors of Inequality

Large systems (laws

Symbolic Interactionism

A micro theory focused on everyday interactions and the meanings people attach to things

Cultural Factors of Inequality

Beliefs

Unmarked Status

A category seen as the “normal” default (ex: NBA = men)

Marked Status

A category labeled as different from the norm (ex: WNBA = women)

Qualitative Research

Detailed

Quantitative Research

Numerical data that can be counted or statistically analyzed

Contested History (Columbus → Indigenous People’s Day)

Different groups disagree over whose version of history should be celebrated

Spent Simulation Takeaway

It is extremely hard to live on minimum wage even when doing everything right; connects personal troubles to public issues

Standpoint in Qualitative Research

Your background shapes what you notice and how you interpret information

Institutional Racism (Law & Justice)

Bias built into legal systems that affects racial groups unequally

Women’s Rights: Recent & Incomplete

Women gained rights slowly and full equality still hasn't been reached

Quantitative Data & Hypotheses

Using numbers to test predictions about society

"Poverty is the single greatest cause of ill health

"

Low income leads to poor living conditions and worse health outcomes

I-195 Highway Construction

Highways destroyed neighborhoods of color; Fox Point's low-income community was removed

Environmental Racism

Communities of color experience more pollution and environmental harm

Health Equity Zone (HEZ)

Local areas focused on improving community health

Tree Coverage & Health

More trees = cooler temps + lower asthma; fewer trees often found in poorer neighborhoods

Homeless Resources

Housing

Bureaucracy & Shortages

Systems are slow and underfunded

Unhoused People & Loneliness

Many unhoused individuals feel ignored; acknowledging them (“Hi”) matters

Race Outlook (Mosaic + Risk of Isolation)

Growing diversity but risk of groups becoming isolated into “separate teams

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Gender Outlook (Convergence + Tradwife Backlash)

Men and women’s lives becoming more similar; backlash movements like tradwives push back

Political Capture

Wealthy individuals and corporations influence government to protect and grow their wealth

Interest Group Tools (Grouped)

Ads

Ads (Interest Group Tool)

Paid messages used to influence public opinion or political decisions

Publications (Interest Group Tool)

Reports or articles that shape how people think about issues

Think Tanks (Interest Group Tool)

Organizations that research and publish policy ideas to influence lawmakers

SuperPACs (Interest Group Tool)

Groups that raise unlimited money to support political candidates or issues

Political Donations (Interest Group Tool)

Money given to candidates or parties to gain influence

Interest Group Wins (Grouped)

Deregulation

Deregulation (Interest Group Win)

Reducing government rules so businesses face fewer restrictions

Privatization (Interest Group Win)

Shifting public services to private companies

Corporate Consolidation (Interest Group Win)

When large companies merge

Revolving Door

Movement between government and industry that weakens regulation

Social Movements

Large organized efforts pushing for social change

Movement Ingredients (Grouped)

Strength

Strength (Movement Ingredient)

The power and resources a movement has

Opportunities (Movement Ingredient)

Moments in society or politics when change becomes more possible (ex: elections

Framing (Movement Ingredient)

How a movement explains the issue to make the public see it as urgent and important

Activist Standing (Movement Ingredient)

How legitimate

Noncooperation (Movement Ingredient)

Refusing to participate in normal operations to create pressure (ex: strikes

Backlash (Movement Ingredient)

Negative responses from opponents who try to weaken or stop the movement

Radical Flank (Movement Ingredient)

The more extreme part of a movement that pushes stronger demands and shifts debate

Tactical Frivolity (Movement Ingredient)

Using humor

Critical Events (Movement Ingredient)

Major incidents that spark public outrage or awareness

Interest Convergence (Movement Ingredient)

Change happens when the movement’s goals also benefit those in power

Collective Action Tools

Protests

Communication Tools

News coverage

Policy Tools

Lawsuits

Private Healthcare = Wealth Extraction

For-profit healthcare pulls money out of the system; other countries treat healthcare as a right

Reducing Poverty Improves Health

Higher income improves health outcomes

Class Inequalities (CC+H)

Poor people have fewer resources to escape climate impacts

Racial Inequalities (CC+H)

Environmental racism

Gender Inequalities (CC+H)

Women are underrepresented in government and medicine