Questions and Answers
What are life's chances?
The sort of life he or she is likely to have.
What is social class?
Both a source of identity and a structure of inequality.
What is social stratification?
The system of structured social inequality and the structure of mobility in a society.
What does stratification refer to in sociology?
Signup and view all the answers
Why do we have social stratification according to Durkheim?
Signup and view all the answers
What is meritocracy?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Marx say about social stratification?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a caste system?
Signup and view all the answers
What is feudalism?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a class system?
Signup and view all the answers
What were the three components of social class according to Max Weber?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the three dimensions of stratification according to Max Weber?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the seven socioeconomic classes in the United States?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Oscar Lewis' culture of poverty thesis?
Signup and view all the answers
What is intergenerational social mobility?
Signup and view all the answers
What is intragenerational social mobility?
Signup and view all the answers
What is global inequality?
Signup and view all the answers
What does modernization theory argue?
Signup and view all the answers
What is dependency theory?
Signup and view all the answers
What is world system theory?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the three economic zones of the world economy?
Signup and view all the answers
What are global commodity chains?
Signup and view all the answers
Who are the bourgeoisie?
Signup and view all the answers
What is 'class' in sociology?
Signup and view all the answers
What is colonialism?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'feminization of poverty' refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
What is poverty line?
Signup and view all the answers
Who are the proletariat according to Karl Marx?
Signup and view all the answers
What is socioeconomic status?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is Oscar Lewis?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is Karl Marx?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is Immanuel Wallerstein?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is Max Weber?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Life's Chances
- Refers to the potential quality and outcomes of an individual's life based on various factors.
Social Class
- Serves as a significant identifier for individuals and contributes to social inequality.
Social Stratification
- Describes the organized system of social inequality within a society, including mobility structures.
Stratification
- Involves the hierarchical ranking of individuals or groups within a society.
Purpose of Social Stratification
- Durkheim proposed that stratification fosters interdependence in complex societies, ensuring mutual reliance among members.
Meritocracy
- A system where social positions and important roles are earned based on merit and capabilities.
Marx's View on Social Stratification
- Views it as a mechanism for oppression and class exploitation, maintained by elites for personal gains while allowing minimal mobility.
Caste System
- A rigid social structure where individuals are born into fixed positions, exemplified by the Indian caste system.
Feudalism
- A static system dividing society into lords and serfs, emphasizing mutual obligations in their interactions.
Class System
- Represents the modern and most flexible form of stratification, where status is based on achieved economic positions.
Max Weber's Social Class Theory
- Identifies three key components: economic class position, social status, and political power.
Weber's Stratification Dimensions
- Class: Relates to occupation and wealth.
- Status: Influenced by societal perceptions and lifestyle.
- Power: The capacity to influence and direct societal outcomes.
Socioeconomic Classes in the U.S.
- Defined categories include upper class, lower-upper class, upper middle class, middle-middle class, working class, lower class, and underclass.
Oscar Lewis' Culture of Poverty Thesis
- Suggests that poverty perpetuates through cultural conditioning, limiting aspirations and resilience among poor communities.
Intergenerational Social Mobility
- The ability of an individual to achieve a different socioeconomic status than their parents.
Intragenerational Social Mobility
- Movement between socio-economic classes occurs within an individual’s lifetime.
Global Inequality
- Refers to the persistent disparities in wealth and power between countries.
Modernization Theory
- Posits that a lack of economic development in poorer nations stems from cultural inadequacies and ineffective governmental policies.
Dependency Theory
- Argues that poor countries’ underdevelopment results from exploitation by wealthy nations and multinational companies.
World System Theory
- Describes the world economy as an interconnected network dominated by capitalism, influencing all countries involved.
Economic Zones in the World Economy
- Divided into three classifications: core (developed), periphery (developing), and semi-periphery (intermediate).
Global Commodity Chains
- Networks that connect raw materials through production to final consumers.
Bourgeoisie
- Marx's term for upper-class capitalists controlling production means; now includes influential upper-class managers.
Class Definition
- Groups individuals based on shared income, power, and prestige, influencing their societal standing.
Colonialism
- Economic and political domination of weaker countries by stronger nations for resource and labor exploitation.
Feminization of Poverty
- Describes the growing number of women in poverty due to various socio-economic factors.
Poverty Line
- The minimum income necessary to afford basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing.
Proletariat
- Marx's term for the working-class individuals forced into wage labor to survive.
Socioeconomic Status (SES)
- A comprehensive measure evaluating an individual’s rank based on a combination of various social, economic, and cultural factors.
Oscar Lewis
- Developed the culture of poverty thesis, emphasizing the societal roots of poverty.
Karl Marx
- Foundational sociologist who focused on class as a central factor in his theories, introducing terms like bourgeoisie and proletariat.
Immanuel Wallerstein
- Initiated the world system theory, emphasizing global economic structures.
Max Weber
- Co-founder of sociology; expanded on Marx's theories, detailing class, status, and power dimensions.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the complexities of social stratification, its impact on life chances, and the roles of social class and meritocracy. Delve into the contrasting views of theorists like Durkheim and Marx, and understand the implications of rigid systems such as the caste system. This quiz highlights key concepts critical to the study of sociology.