Understanding Social Inequality

Defining Social Inequality

• Social inequality is defined as the differences in levels of income, resources, power, status, social capital, and social inclusion/exclusion among individuals and groups.
• These differences are often influenced by factors like gender, ethnicity, and age.
• Social inequality can be measured using various methods, but one common approach focuses on socioeconomic frameworks to measure income disparities.

Key Learning Outcomes

• Understand the concept of social inequality as a complex and multifaceted issue.
• Recognize the various types of social inequalities that exist in society.
• Gain insight into both the theoretical and ideological perspectives that shape our understanding of inequalities.

Conceptualising Social Inequality

• The world is characterized by unfairness and inequality, with evidence highlighting the myriad ways in which these inequalities manifest.
• Despite the existence of this evidence, there is ongoing debate about how to conceptualize and understand social inequality.
• Social inequalities can be understood through socioeconomic frameworks that examine income discrepancies.

Measuring Social Inequality

• Table 1.1 provides examples of different types of social inequalities and evidence supporting their existence.
• Examples of Evidence:
  • In the UK, income disparity is significant. In 2018, the top 20% of the population had an average equivalised disposable income six times higher than the bottom 20%.
  • Globally, millions lack access to safe drinking water, risking their health and lives.
  • Power imbalances exist, with certain groups facing social silencing or discrimination based on their identity.
  • Access to social capital, such as networks of power, can lead to unequal outcomes, like in board memberships where women are often excluded.

Comparing Development

• The Human Development Index (HDI) provides a broader measure of development than simply relying on GDP.
• HDI considers factors such as health, education, and living standards, capturing the capabilities of individuals and including environmental sustainability.

Understanding In-work Poverty

• In-work poverty refers to individuals working but still living in poverty.
• This challenges the narrative that work is the sole solution to poverty, as many families struggle despite employment.
• In-work poverty can have detrimental effects on children, contributing to child poverty.

Subjective Inequality

• The experience of inequality is subjective and comparative, meaning individuals perceive inequality relative to others.
• People often compare themselves to their reference groups, like neighbors, friends, or past generations, affecting their perceptions of inequality and well-being.

Summary of Key Points

• Measuring and understanding social inequality is a complex process, but there is a clear evidence base demonstrating its existence.
• Global patterns of social inequality are evolving, but there are growing concerns about the potential for COVID-19 to worsen inequalities.
• Social inequalities have negative consequences both for individuals experiencing them and for society as a whole.

Further Reading

• Dorling, D. (2018) Peak Inequality: Britain's Ticking Time Bomb.
• The Atlas of Inequality
• Wilkinson, R. and Pickett, K. (2019) The Inner Level: How More Equal Societies Reduce Stress, Restore Sanity and Improve Everyone's Well-being.

List of Questions to Stimulate Debate and Reflection

• Should we focus more on wealthier groups and political power to better understand how inequalities are perpetuated?
• How does comparing ourselves to others affect our perceptions of inequality and societal position?
• Considering the persistence of inequalities, should we reconsider the functioning of capitalism as an economic model and explore ways to achieve more equitable wealth distribution?

This quiz explores the concept of social inequality, examining the differences in income, resources, and status among individuals and groups. It highlights the influences of gender, ethnicity, and age in shaping these disparities, and encourages an understanding of both theoretical and ideological perspectives on the issue.