Social inequality - it seems to be a relic of the past and should go into oblivion, but modern reality is such that in one form or another a stratification in society is present today and this generates a sense of injustice in those people who are affected by social inequality.
Social inequality - what is it?
Social class inequality existed from the ancient times of human evolution. The history of different countries serves as a clear proof of what leads to the oppression and enslavement of people - these are mutinies, hunger riots, wars and revolutions. But this experience, prescribed by the blood does not teach anything. Yes, now it has taken a softer, veiled form. What is social inequality expressed in and what does it represent today?
Social inequality is the division or differentiation of people into classes, societies or groups, according to their position in society, which implies unequal use of opportunities, benefits and rights. If social inequality is represented schematically in the form of a ladder, then at its lowest levels there will be oppressed, poor, and above oppressors and rich , those who have power and money in their hands. This is the main sign of the stratification of society on the poor and the rich. There are other indicators of social inequality.
Causes of social inequality
What are the causes of social inequality? Economists see the root cause in an unequal relationship to property and the distribution of material wealth in general. R. Michels (German sociologist) saw the reason for granting great privileges and powers to the government apparatus, which was chosen by the same people. The causes of social inequality in the opinion of the French sociologist E. Durkheim:
- Encouraging people who bring the greatest benefit to society, the best in their business.
- Unique personal qualities and talents of the person, allocating it from the general society.
Types of social inequality
Forms of social inequality are different, so there are several classifications. Types of social inequality by physiological characteristics:
- age - applies to all people at certain age intervals, this can be traced when hiring, young people are not taken because of lack of experience, elderly people, with their vast experience, are replaced by young, more promising from the point of view of their superiors;
- social sexual inequality - here it is possible to consider such a phenomenon as women's discrimination , expressed in the fact that few women occupying responsible posts participating in the economic life of the country, the woman is given the role of "for her husband";
- social ethnic inequality - small ethnic groups, those that are not part of the "white race" are largely oppressed because of such phenomena as xenophobia and racism.
Social inequality in relation to status in society:
- lack / availability of wealth;
- proximity to power.
The manifestation of social inequality
The main signs of social inequality are observed in such a phenomenon as the division of labor. Human activities are diverse and each person is endowed with some talents and skills, the ability to grow. Social inequality is manifested as a return of privileges to those who are more talented and promising for society. Stratification of society or stratification (from the word "strata" - a geological stratum) is the alignment of a hierarchical ladder, division into classes, and if earlier they were slaves and slaveholders, feudal lords and servants, then at the present stage it is a division into:
- top class;
- middle class;
- poor (socially vulnerable);
- beyond the poverty line.
The consequences of social inequality
Social inequality and poverty, caused by the fact that the main resources of the planet can only be used by the elect generates conflicts and wars among the population. The consequences develop gradually and are expressed in the slow development of many countries, this leads to the fact that progress in the economy also slows down, democracy as a system loses its positions, tension, dissatisfaction, psychological pressure, social disharmony are growing in society. According to the UN, half the world's resources own 1% of the so-called higher elite (world domination).
Pros of social inequality
Social inequality in society as a phenomenon does not bear only negative properties, if we consider social inequality from the positive side, it is possible to note important things, having looked at them the thought arises that everything "has a place to be under the Sun". Pros of social inequality for a person:
- the incentive to become the best in your business, to maximize your talents and abilities;
- motivation for those who want to emerge from poverty ;
- ordering in the economic sphere, those who have capital produce resources, unlike those who do not have capital and are only able to feed themselves and their families.
Examples of social inequality in history
Examples of social inequalities or stratification systems:
- Slavery is an extreme degree of enslavement, the original form of social inequality known since antiquity.
- Caste . The kind of stratification that has developed socially since antiquity, when social inequality was determined by caste belonging, a child born from the very birth belonged to a certain caste. In India, it was believed that the birth of a person in a caste depends on his deeds in a past life. Only 4 castes: the highest - brahmanas, kshatriyas - warriors, vaisyas - merchants, merchants, sudras - peasants (lower caste).
- Estates . Higher estates - the nobility and the clergy had the legal right to transfer property by inheritance. Unprivileged class - artisans, peasants.
Modern forms of social inequality
Social inequality in modern society is an inherent property, therefore the social theory of functionalism considers stratification in a positive way. American sociologist B. Barber shared modern types of social stratification, based on 6 criteria:
- Prestige profession.
- Presence of power.
- Wealth and income.
- Religious affiliation.
- The presence of education, knowledge.
- Belonging to this or that ethnic group, the nation.
Social inequality in the world
The problem of social inequality is that racism, xenophobia, and discrimination based on gender are generated. The most indicative criterion of social inequality throughout the world is the different income of the population. The factors that influence the stratification in society all over the world remain the same as many years ago:
- way of life - urban or rural, the well-known fact that in villages the payment for labor is less than in the city, and the conditions are often worse, and the work is more;
- social roles (mother, father, teacher, official) - determine the status, prestige, the existence of power, property;
- division of labor - physical and intellectual labor are paid in different ways.
Is social inequality removable?
The history documented in the documents does not know a time when there would not be social inequality and the division of society into strata. But sometimes there is a very significant distortion, as a result of which people suffer, so it is important to keep balance and the task of people in power to strive for the development of society, and not to stagnate economic processes and increase poverty among the population. Ways to overcome social inequality:
- development of social services ;
- availability of free high-quality medicine and education;
- assistance to the poor and the disabled;
- development of normative acts, laws, monetary compensation, protecting unprotected strata of society (veterans, disabled, single mothers);
- provision of workplaces for people with disabilities;
- providing equal opportunities for both men and women in hiring.