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explanations of social inequalities - Coggle Diagram
explanations of social inequalities
marxism
class inequalities
westergaard- there is little evidence of class divisions disappearing and instead they were widening. he argued that this was due to how the capitalist system opperates. the gradual process of production is being expanded and technology is rendering the workforce obsolete. this will create a polarisation of the classes as the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer.
marx- ideological control- bourgeoisie control superstructure and use it to transmit ruling class ideology/values and false class consiousness. this means that capitalism is seen as reasonable and just rather than exploitative and oppressive.
beliefs and values disguise and distort the true nature of society meaning class inequality will continue
gramsci- dominant (hegemonic) group or class maintains power in society not through force but by controling ideas, culture and beliefs. those in power get the majority of people to accept their view as normal or common sense even if it only benifits the rulling group more than anyone else.
miliband- "media is the opium of the people", the rulling class use the media to control society by creating a false picture of reality that presents capitalism in a positive way. inequalities are inevitable, justafiable and effective for society therefore the prolateriate accept the values of the ruling class dispite not being in their best interests.
gender inequalities
engles- womens subordinate position is due to the ownership of private property and the development of the nuclear family that went with it. he felt that the exploitative relationship that many faced at work became reflected within the home. within capitalist society, men were required to gain control over women so they could eventually pass any form of inheritance onto children, therefore making it important that they fathered legitimate offspring. nuclear family restricted womens sexuality and enforced monogamy.
zaretsky- family life gave men a space that they could control and be the boss of. this provided a function for capitalism as it meant that workers would tolerate the powerlessness and frustration of being exploited at work because they had a private domain where they were "king of the castle" and could take out their stress and frustrations on their wives.
benston- women do unpaid labour within the home that helps support the smooth running of capitalism as if they were paid a wage, there would have to be huge redistributions of wealth. women renew mens ability to go out and work to create profit for the rulling class as they raise children and take care of their husband while also reproducing and socialising the next generation of workers at no cost to employers.
bruegel- because of womens unpaid domestic labour, they are readily avaliable to work outside of the home when society requires. the ruling class use women to join the workforce when needed (economic boom) and send them back to being full time housewives when not required (slumps).
reserve army of labour
, women are also not members of trade unions therefore are prepared to work for less as their wage could be a second income.
ethnic inequalities
cox- race is a human creation and racism was something developed by exploiters against the exploited to justify their actions. early capitalism went hand in hand with colonialism, as european nations conquered other areas of the world, they were able to exploit the workforce in the colonies and justified their actions through racism (claiming white europeans were superior to other races).
castles and kosack- most immigrants were concentrated in low-skilled, low-wage manual jobs that were carried out in poor working conditions, many were also unemployed. britains treatment of immigrants ultimatly derived from the need in capitalist societies for a reserve army of labour
miles- the ruling class premotes racial and ethnic tensions between the working class to encorage structural division within society. dividing the working class along ethnic lines weakens the potential for unified resistance against exploitation and prevents workers coming together over common economic interests. racism and ethnic inequalities are structurally produced to perpetuate class domination
hall- the ruling class uses media to take attention away from capitalist failings through the use of moral panics. newspapers claimed there was an increase in muggings by black young men but it was actually growing slower than the previous decade. moral panics over black criminality at the time created a diversion from the wider economic crisis
age identities
phillipson- the young and elderly both act as a reserve army of labour. they are often brought in as temporary or flexable labour, only working on zero hour contracts that offer no benifits (pensions or sick pay). age inequalities have been constructed by the bourgeoisie to benifit capitalist society.
gramsci- false class consiousness leads to people not realising their own exploitation due to consessions and benifits.
this then creates a form of dependency, legitimising the need for powers of authority. the elderly and youth do not question their exploitation in the labour market as they feel that in a zero hour contract you give little to get little in return.
phillipson and townsend- inequalities must meet the needs of the economy. this therefore places the elderly in a negative position as a burden on the economy as capitalist states need to constantly renew their workforce to ensure greater profit by using younger, more productive workers. this occurs through the process of institutionalised dependency as the elderly are forced to retire therefore making them become dependants as they become denied access to work in order to support themselves.
vincent- capitalism maniputaltes the elderly into retiring and uses them as a scapegoat for societal issues. state pensions create a disadvantage as they are too low (especially for women who wont have worked enough to save for a private pension). retirement age is a social construct to ensure the elderly have a clear idea what age the state would prefer them to retire in order to make way for younger workforces.
feminist
gender
mcrobbie- the family and peer group socialise women into traditional hegemonic female identities. boys and girls are treated differently by parents as boys were given more freedom and allowed to spend time outside however girls were more protected and home centred. the term "bedroom culture" has been used to describe the ways girls spend their leasure time with friends in their bedrooms.
johnson- men use violence to assert power over women. patriarchal terrorism is violence caused by patriarchal traditions of mens rights to control their wives. terroristic control of wives is done through violence, economic subordination, threats and isolation. e.g- andrew tate.
oakley- family socialises girls into hegemonic feminine identities. childeren are socialised through 4 methods during primary socialisation. canalisation, manipulation, verbal appellation and different domestic activities.
adkins- the workplace socialises girls into hegemonic femininity. in theme parks, attractive female staff were made to work in bars whereas males were often given jobs behind the scenes (ride operators). horizontal segregation is where the workforce of a specific industry or sector is made up of one particular gender. vertical segregation is when opportunities for career progression for a particular gender within a company or sector are limited.