Social Inequality
Social inequality “…all animals are equal here, but some are more equal than others.” – George Orwell, Animal Farm
What does Social Inequality Mean? Differential Access to Wealth Power Prestige
In what areas does Social Inequality Exist? Gender Race Age Ethnicity Religion Kinship
How does differential access to wealth, power and prestige arise from differences between people Differences are accorded varying degress of value Those are most similar to “me” have the highest value Those who are the most unlike “me” have the lowest value Making that which is most like me a social value requires hegemony. Hegemony is the domination of culture by one particular cultural group, resulting in the empowerment of certain cultural beliefs, values, and practices over others. To some extent, it also requires the “buy in” of the lower ranked group.
Classification of societies based on the equality-inequality continuum Egalitarian Societies Ranked Societies Stratified Societies
Egalitarian Societies Hadza of Tanzania, Kung bushmen of the Kalahari, and Batek of Malaysia Foragers with few possessions, no land ownership, and little specialization, other than a division of labor based on gender and age. Lack any clear organizational structure There is a continuing debate as to whether there is inequality between men and women in foraging societies.
Egalitarian Societies Marx and Engels argued that the real basis of social and political inequality was property, and that since there was no private property in primitive societies, there was no state and no class or inequality… Kung bushmen of the Kalahari.
Foragers recognize individuals with special skills, but those who possess them are not seen superior in other respects. Leaders have influence, but no authority The people possess norms that emphasize sharing and ideals of interpersonal equality.
Ranked societies Common in horticultural societies where surplus gives rise to resources and privileges. People are divided in hierarchically ordered groups that differ in terms of prestige and status, but not significantly in terms of access to wealth or power. It is possible to identify persons we can label as chiefs whose inherited position has prestige.
Ranked societies With ranked societies, comes the need to organize labor beyond the household level and the potential for major construction projects (cooperative labor) Individuals can achieve power and prestige.
Stratified Societies Societies divided into horizontal layers of equality and inequality. Marked inequalities in access to wealth, power, and prestige. Passed from generation to generation Has a significant effect on individuals “life chances.” Found almost exclusively within complex societies with centralized political systems and large populations
Stratified cont. Ranked divisions are called strata Stratification systems vary in.. The number of ranked groups The degree to which there is agreement regarding their hierarchical placement. The size of the strata The ability of individuals to move within strata Supporting ideology
Examples of Stratified Chinese Kings and nobles, scholars, peasants, craftsmen, merchants Egyptians Nobles, aristocracy, priests, merchants, craftsmen, wealthy farmers, scribes, laborers, slaves
Stratified Control of wealth and power in the hands of a few Status and rewards are heritable Social mobility is limited
What is class Class is essentially a theoretical concept Classes are strata of a particular kind Defined primarily in terms of roles and economic relationships.
What types of things does class effect? Lifestyles and interests Tastes Language Self Image Values Political Orientation Access to such resources as education, healthcare, housing and consumer goods. How long you live and how healthy you will be.
Karl Marx’s Concept of Class Communist Manifesto – the history of class struggles Linked the emergence of class society to the rise of private property and the state Class position is defined in terms of the relationship of people’s labor to the means of production. Once the lower class becomes aware, they will create their own culture and a clash of cultures will begin.
Weber’s Three dimensions of stratification He attempted to modify Marxism Stratification is not only economic…. The Three P’s Property (class) Prestige (status) Power (party)
Property Weber defined class as a group of people with similar life chances Their material possessions and their opportunities for income were as important as ownership Managers and high officials have control of firms that they do not own.
Prestige Weber called status the control without ownership Persons with high prestige may have little or no property e.g. poets and saints may have huge prestige while remaining penniless.
power Power is the ability to get one’s way despite the resistance of others. People may be powerful without acquiring property. Power may be exchanged for economic advancement.