Sociology Exam 2 Study Guide Chapters 7 8 Social Stratification Poverty What is Social Stratification A system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy Based on 4 principles of stratification 1 It is a trait of society not simply a reflection of individual differences 2 It carries over from generation to the next 3 It is universal but variable 4 Involves different beliefs justification Caste vs Class System Caste System Class System Social stratification based on ascription and birth Closed system allowing little change in social position Social stratification is based on both birth and merit Open system allowing more change and social mobility A Functionalist Perspective on Stratification The Davis Moore Thesis claims that stratification has beneficial consequences for society as a whole Inequality creates incentives Functional importance determines rewards Such a system promotes productivity A Social Conflict Perspective on Stratification Unequal distribution of resources benefits some while harming others Marx 2 classes of people Bourgeoisie owners make profits Proletariat Exchange labor for wages Unequal rewards are unfair Work produced alienation Political implication A classless society Weber Class Status and Power Argued that Marx s two class model was too simple Saw 3 dimensions to inequality Class Determined by income Status Social prestige Power Ability to control Claimed that industrial societies has less status consistency True classless societies are not possible Symbolic Interaction Approach to Stratification Stratification is a factor that guides peoples interactions to everyday life People tend to interact with others in the same social standing Conspicuous consumption Many people buy and use products because of the statement they make about their social position Poverty in US The US ranks first in poverty among developed nations The US poverty level is 3x the cost of food for one year 21 756 income for a year for a family of 4 as of 2009 11 161 for a single individual Who are the poor Decreasing number of elderly 30 rate in 1967 9 4 in 2006 Increasing number of families headed by single women Social Classes in the U S Upper Class top 5 of population earn at least 200K Upper uppers 1 of population old money Lower uppers 3 4 of population working rich Middle Class 40 45 of population Upper middles 113K 200K white collar Average middles 49K 113K less prestigious white collar skilled blue collar Working Class 30 35 28K 49 blue collar Under class 15 20 28K working poor and poor Differences Among Social Classes Health Higher SES is also associated with favorable biological functioning lower rates of poor subjective health lower rates of chronic diseases lower rates of chronic diseases lower rates of functional disability lower rates of cognitive decline lower rates of infant mortality Children born into poor families are 3x more likely to die from disease neglect accidents or violence during the first year of life Among adults people with above average incomes are almost 2x as likely as low income people to describe their health as excellent Those in upper class live on average 5 years longer What are some reasons that higher SES is associated with better overall health More nutritious diets Safer and less stressful living environments More time to engage in exercise Occupations that bring in higher incomes and allow for more creativity One of the core interests of sociology is the study of social stratification the inequalities in income power and prestige Few persons would care about such inequalities if the poor powerless and despised were as happy and fulfilled as the wealthy The inequality in misery makes the social and economic inequality meaningful Mirowsky 2003 Differences Among Social Classes Values and Attitudes Upper uppers Strong sense of family history and understated manners and taste New Rich engage in more conspicuous consumption Working class Emphasis on discipline Differences Among Social Classes Politics Higher classes conservative views on economic issues with more liberal views on social issues abortion gay marriage Middle Lower classes liberal views on economic issues with conservative issues on social issues Higher income people are more likely to vote Differences Among Social Classes Family and Gender Lower class families are somewhat larger than middle class families Family life reproduces class structure Working class couples typically divide responsibilities according to gender roles Middle class couples are more egalitarian Social Mobility Various factors can lead to upward and downward mobility Intragenerational social mobility A change in social position occurring during a persons lifetime Intergenerational social mobility Upward or downward social mobility of children in relation to their parents affected by structural shifts in society Global Stratification The Big Issues Inequality between and within countries Theories of global inequality What inequality looks like around the world How global inequality affects us Globalization Globalization is a process of increased interconnectedness especially in terms of economics politics and culture Globalization has led to massive wealth for some while others are left further behind Global Inequality Differences Between Countries Systematic differences in wealth and power between countries significant systems of stratification exist within countries as well Per person gross national income is used as a measure of global inequality Gap continues to widen between technologically enabled countries and those without technology High 11 906 Middle 976 11 905 Low 975 or less Global Inequality Why it Matters to You The Technology Gap Explaining Global Inequality Four primary approaches 1 Market theories 2 Dependency theories 3 World system analysis 4 State centered theories Market Theories Most popular view in economics Low government intervention should be coupled with free unconstrained individual action Ex Rostows modernization theory Dependency Theories These theories are a rejection of market theories built on Marxian ideas Global inequality is seen as the result of exploitation by wealthy countries and other international players INGO s and MNC s Global inequality stemmed from colonialism and has been reinforced by global trade and finance World Systems Analysis Developed in 1970 s by Immanuel Wallerstein World System Analysis WSA sees the entire world economy as one system
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