Social inequality questions

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Apr 3, 2024

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Running Head: SOCIAL INEQUALITY QUESTIONS 1 Social Inequality Questions Lisa Emes, Ramandeep Kaur, Sheeba Nouman Professor:Judi Zelikovitz Sociology George Brown College Due Date: February 21, 2019 Section D Running Head: SOCIAL INEQUALITY QUESTIONS 2

1) In the BBC Newsnight (2013) video, celebrity Russell Brand says he was a drug addict at a young age (Brand, 2013). Review that section of the video and write a brief summary of why Russell Brand says he was a drug addict (one paragraph). Next, use your sociological imaginations and key terms from the textbook to explain from a sociological perspective why someone in Russell Brand’s situation might become a drug addict. What sociological forces might have contributed to his addiction? (2-3 paragraphs). In the BBC Newsnight video, celebrity Russel Brand said that the reason by being drug addicted at that point was because of social and economic class that was underserved by the current political system. Russell said that consequently people get drugs, they don’t feel like they want to engage with the current political system, so they see that they are not served (Brand, 2013 2:32 minutes). Social class has both a strictly material quality relating to these definitions of individuals’ positions within a given economic system, and a social quality relating to the formation of common class interests, political divisions in society, sites of conflict and compromise, life styles and consumption patterns, and what Max Weber called different “life chances” (1969). Whether defined by material or social characteristics however, the main social outcome of the class structure is inequality in society. Most sociologists define social class as a grouping based on similar social factors like wealth, income, education, and occupation. Whether the Marxist emphasis on property ownership is more important than the Weberian emphasis on gradations of occupational status is a matter for debate. Each definition captures some aspects of the experience of inequality in modern society but misses others. Either way, the concept of class does imply a shared standard of living based on social factors like wealth, income, education, Running Head: SOCIAL INEQUALITY QUESTIONS 3

and occupation. These factors also affect how much power and prestige a person has. In most cases, having more money means having more power or more opportunities . Social inequality occurs when attributes such as gender, minority status, and class affect a person’s access to socially valued resources (e.g., money, status, and power but also health care, education, political representation, etc.) (Price & Feinman, 2010, p. 2 ). Social inequality is unfair because it treats some people better than others; however, social inequality is difficult to detect and challenge because it is hidden behind ideologies that name the processes associated with their perpetuation as “normal” and “just” and their harmful consequences as being the fault of the disadvantaged. People are often discouraged from talking meaningfully about the real effects of social inequality because it is easier to talk about the ideals of diversity and multiculturalism than it is to challenge social exclusion and discrimination . 2) Explain why Brand says there is social inequality in the world (1-2 paragraphs). Reflecting on what Brand says, which sociological theory (in Ravelli & Webber Chapter 7) best explains his point of view? Backup your answer with references to the textbook. (2-4 paragraphs). Note: the four main theories discussed in the textbook are Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Symbolic Interactionism and Feminist Theory. We believe Russell Brand is leaning towards Conflict theory. Because Karl Marx has talked about similar class struggle in his theory. Running Head: SOCIAL INEQUALITY QUESTIONS 4

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Karl Marx thinks that class struggle exists between classes, the ones that has power and later being the one without any social power. He believes that social stratification not only exists but also is institutionalized in our current unequal political order (Nayebi & Abdollahyan, 2006, p. 251) Here is the point where Brand and Marx converge. Brand thinks that the institutionalized inequality is the political elite and the parliament. Since most of the parliamentarian are holding power through power of vote. Max Webber for the most part agrees with Karl Marx, but Webber differ from Marx over the social stratification existence. To Webber it is important for the smooth functioning of the society that stratification exists. Since according to him economic class is not conscious of there class there for, they are unimportant. Because they have lack of awareness and therefore unlikely to challenge the system. We conclude from reading the interaction between Russell Brand and Jeremy Paxman is that He believes that only 300 individuals are holding wealth equivalent to 85 million improvised people. Which translates the unfair political system we are living in. He believes because of insatiable thirst for wealth is creating a competition between classes, which in turn is destroying earth ecosystem as well. He believes that his drug addiction was not just his problem, but he was compelled to be a drug addict because of the environment he was growing in; Russell thinks that haves and have not struggle between classes has gone too far. He further suggests that Elite has been in power from Running Head: SOCIAL INEQUALITY QUESTIONS 5

generations and stay in power because of the power of vote. That is way Russel Brand declared that he does not vote. He further declares since politicians only serve corporations interests and interests of common man or interests of under class is not important to them that is way “He does not vote”. And probably never will vote. Paxman challenges him, that if he is so unsatisfied by the current political order, why don’t he change it. Brands reply is that he is trying. Probably he is referring to his political satire that he consistently uses in his comedy. 3) In the BBC Newsnight (2013) video, Russell said that he does not vote. Using sociological terms, theories & perspective, explain why Russell Brand does not exercise his right to vote. (two paragraphs minimum). Does your group think not voting will lead to political change? Why or why not? (one to two paragraphs and may include varying views) Mr. Brand does not vote because he thinks voting is only going to maintain statuesque and the current paradigm will continue unabated. What I understand from the conversation is that there is a belive that a certain class is in power from generations and each time there is elections the same group from either side gets back into power and this insatiable thirst for power is creating a disparity among economic class. There needs are not be tended too and the appetite for fast industrial growth is depleting earth's resources Running Head: SOCIAL INEQUALITY QUESTIONS 6

at pace unpresidented before these times. The quantity of life is growing but the quality is on the fast decline. That is why probably Mr. Brand is reluctant to vote. When he is questioned, what form of government Mr. Brand would support. His reply is that “He is still working on it” (BBc, Brand 2013). Our group thinks that voting is extremely important as a citizen of any country and ballet is the only way to bring a change. In canada there are still a lot of platform available to vote. There is Green Party which has far liberal and eco friendly agenda. They won the first seat in parliament in 2016 federal elections. An individual does matter even if you stand alone. If a common man wants to bring a change the only way left for him is to use the power of vote. 4) We might think of social inequality as the unequal and unfair distribution of one giant cherry pie. The pie is made of valued resources (like money), social position and rewards in Canadian Society. Using Exploring Sociology (Chapter 7) as your resource, review the definition of social inequality. Next, identify and discuss the seven factors that affect social inequality in Canada. (Think of those factors in terms of your access to the cherry pie). Which does your groupthink is the most important factor in determining social inequality in Canada? Justify your choice. Make sure your answer lists the seven factors, explains them and includes an example for each factor. Be sure your answer includes 1-2 paragraphs that summarizes your group’s response to which is the most important factor in determining social inequality in Canada. Social inequality occurs when attributes such as gender minority status, and class affect a person access to socially valued resources (e.g. money, status, and power but also health care, education, political representation etc.) (Price & Feinman, 2010, p. 2) Running Head: SOCIAL INEQUALITY QUESTIONS 7 Example of social inequalities ● Education inequality:

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a cultural or linguistic bias in the evaluation instruments used and during professional assessments, which can result in academic difficulties being over- or underestimated ● Gender inequality: Pay gap between male and female ● Visible minority status Rights of indigenous people Intergenerational trauma, Residential schools and Truth and Reconciliation ● Work status inequality Lack of immigrant work rights ● Age Age discrimination in workplace ● Geographic location Universal child care differs in different provinces ● Family structure Income inequality in families our group thinks that gender inequality is one of the most important social inequality which female are facing. When it comes to living standards, Canada ranks in the top ten globally based on the Human Development Index (HDI). However, when it comes to measuring and comparing gender inequality, Canada does not rank as high as it does in other categories. We see tangible results of gender inequality. Gender inequality means when women do not enjoy the same status as man and not get enough opportunities to realize her full potential to contribute to national, political, economic, social development and to benefit from the results. Women in Canada outnumber men when it comes to Running Head: SOCIAL INEQUALITY QUESTIONS 8

higher education with close to 60% of postsecondary students in the country being female. This number is also the highest in any OECD country. Nevertheless, when it comes to promotion in the workplace, it’s men who dominate. Sexual and physical violence is also one of the examples of gender inequality. domestic violence is a big treat to society domestic in domestic violence the victim not only suffer physical and emotional harm but also their feeling of safety and perception of well being are often affected by their victimization experiences.

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