Social Class And Inequality Essay

Words: 421

Pages: 2

Open Document

Social class and inequality are closely related, and sociological theorists such as Marx, Weber, and Parsons have examined the implications. Marx’s theory divides society into two separate social classes, the bourgeoisie, the upper class, and the proletariat, the lower class. In Marx’s theory, the bourgeoisie own and control the means of production, while the proletariat only has their labor to offer to the bourgeoisie to make a living. Marx coined the term historical materialist, which states that class dynamics shape the economy, which in turn develops the structure of society. The dynamic between the two classes is unequal, and Marx theorizes that the dynamic ends with the revolution of the lower class against the upper class.
Weber expanded on Marx’s theory, believing that the two-social class theory was too simplistic. In Weber’s theory, there are four social classes: working, petty bourgeoisie, professional bourgeoisie, and propertied. Weber also expanded on Marx’s theory, by claiming that social class is not only determined by owning the means of production, but also considers political power and social status. The propertied, the highest class that owned the means of production, shared the power in society with the …show more content…
Society has more than just two social classes, but Marx’s theory laid the groundwork for future sociologists to explain inequality. Weber offers a better explanation, expanding society into four social classes, and adds political and social power into the formula. However, Weber’s theory does not touch upon important factors of social inequality such as race. Finally, Parson’s explanation of inequality, citing structural functionalism and the implementation of status-role is present in most societies, explaining inequality as necessary. The functionality of society does inherently create inequality, but fulfills necessary roles to keep society

Social Determinants Of Social Inequality

Health inequalities are preventable and unjust differences in health status experienced by certain population groups. Health inequalities are often observed along a social gradient, thus, the more favorable your social circumstances, the better your chance of living a longer and healthier life. Health is affected, not simply by the ease by which we may see a doctor, but rather, our social position and the foundations of inequality that exist within our society. Marmot argues that these social causes…

Words 496 - Pages 2

Re-Thinking Intersectionality Analysis

hegemonic feminist theory. This chapter is an archive of challenging debates from various forms of scholarship on race, nationality, sexuality, class, gender, and transnationalism. In addition, these writings express the experiences of marginalized women that were ignored. The authors have divided this chapter into three subsections, Intersectionality, Social Processes/Configuring Differences, and Boundaries and Belongings to examine intersectionality theory from different perspectives. Conversations…

Words 919 - Pages 4

Virginia Woolf's Professions For Women

Over the past two centuries, the presumed gender and racial inequality in accessing economic mobility and in attaining a sustainable profession has become a frequent target of debate, especially in the work market. Perhaps in some places more than others. Nonetheless, as outlined in chapter eight of our textbook – unquestionably, work is a central activity to human experience, and throughout this chapter, remarkable authors such as Virginia Woolf, Henry Louis Gates Jr., and Junot Diaz examine race…

Words 1689 - Pages 7

Essay One

How Class Antagonisms Influence Life Online In S. Craig Watkins’ essay, “From The Young and the Digital,” he examines how class variances influence social-networking usage according to modern day times. With technology usage at an all-time high, social media usage is sparking in popularity making communication become more virtual than it has ever been. Many predicted that with this shift from real face time to virtual face time, existing social inequalities would dissipate. However, this is not…

Words 1219 - Pages 5

Society: Poverty and Relative Poverty Issue Essay

main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the necessity of giving sufficient concern about relative poverty in wealthy society from a comprehensive prospective. To begin with, this essay will illustrate the significance of relative poverty to society through discussing issues associated with inequality and social exclusion. Secondly, the importance of absolute poverty that draws considerable attention from the public will be explicitly analyzed. Lastly, the reasons why it is necessary for people…

Words 968 - Pages 4

Essay on Learning How to Read

level courses b. free books for most classes c. being able to go to college while still living at home The correct answers are a and c, so you would circle both of those, and leave b alone. And finally, there is 5) a section for essay responses to four assigned questions (see below). Terms: • All terms that are bolded in chapters 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 in The Big Picture. • In addition, any terms that are bolded in the weekly overviews that I provided. For the unit…

Words 1474 - Pages 6

Difference Between Social Exclusion And Social Inclusion

Contemporary Social Work Theory and Issues Module Leader: Student Number: Word Count 1999 Assignment Title To what extent can social work be adequately conceptually understood in terms of a position at the interface between social exclusion and social inclusion? To what extent can social work be adequately conceptually understood in terms of a position at the interface between social exclusion and social inclusion? According to the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW)…

Words 2329 - Pages 10

Essay on Child Poverty Act

|In my essay I will write about poverty, inequality and causes of poverty. Also I will add some statistic about poverty in UK. | |It is not easy to say what poverty exactly means (Sociology and Scotland, 2003 p.178). Poverty can be defined by many different ways| |e.g. on the basic on income. Generally poverty can be seen as the economic and sociological concept which describes the lack of | |sufficient financial means to meet the needs of the individual, in particular in the field of…

Words 1432 - Pages 6

Health: Marxism and People Essay

Social Inequality Unit 04 [pic] What are Marxist theories of inequality? Learning targets: • Marxism is concerned for the poor and powerless. • It claims that society is in conflict between the rich who control everything and the poor who must work for the rich and gain little in reward for their work. • The rich are able to maintain their position of power through control of the law, the police and other forms of authority. • The rich also control the manufacture…

Words 3807 - Pages 16

Privilege Rahman Khan Summary

the nation. He elaborates how those who are elite have much more privilege than those who aren't elite. A social institution that have become relatively diverse and more open across races and gender, but those signs of democratic enlightenment hide the fact of their ongoing reinforcement of privilege, by exhibiting an unflappable ease in any situation. And marking those who are lower class to be discomfort and close mindedness to cultural diversity. People may think everyone can reach to be part…

Words 1116 - Pages 5