Lecture Notes: Understanding Inequality and Stratification

Introduction

• Historical perspective on inequality:
  • Medieval peasants vs. modern factory workers.
  • Inequality persists despite widespread discontent.
• Struggle to understand why inequality exists, not just how.

Ideology and Inequality

• Ideology: Cultural beliefs that justify social organization.
  • Even if disliked, people may see inequality as fair due to ideology.
• Ideology doesn't explain the origin of unequal societies.

Sociological Paradigms

• Three paradigms to examine inequality:
  • Structural Functionalism
  • Social Conflict Theory
  • Symbolic Interactionism

Structural Functionalism

• Davis-Moore Thesis:
  • Stratification is functional; rewards are based on job importance.
  • Promotes efficient societal functioning.
• Criticisms:
  • Disconnect between job importance and pay.
  • Not all individuals have equal opportunities (Meritocracy myth).
  • Structural nature of inequality influences success.

Social Conflict Theory

• Karl Marx:
  • Class stratification based on production relations.
  • Predicted proletariat revolution.
• Ralf Dahrendorf's Critique:
  • Capitalist class is fragmented, complicating revolution.
  • Worker organization and legal protections mitigate conflict.
• Ideology of capitalism limits revolutionary potential.

Max Weber's Critique

• Weber's Perspective:
  • Stratification along economic class, social status, and social power.
  • Socioeconomic status adds complexity beyond Marx's economic focus.

Symbolic Interactionism

• Focus on micro-level interactions and inequality.
• Conspicuous Consumption:
  • Products and behaviors serve as social class indicators.
  • Assumptions about social standing based on consumption habits.
• Influence on employment and social interactions:
  • Cultural fit and recognition in social hierarchy.

Conclusion

• Different theories provide insights into stratification.
• Ideology perpetuates inequality.
• Structural, social conflict, and symbolic interactionist perspectives illuminate both macro and micro dimensions of stratification.

Additional Information

• Crash Course Sociology:
  • Produced in Missoula, Montana.
  • Animation by Thought Cafe.
  • Supported by Patreon contributions.