Sociology Ch. 7, 8, 9 &10

The statement is true because sociologists argue that one's position in the social stratification system significantly impacts their opportunities and outcomes in life. Social stratification refers to the division of society into different layers or classes based on factors like wealth, occupation, and education. Those in higher positions have greater access to resources, power, and privileges, while those in lower positions face barriers and limited opportunities. This unequal distribution of resources and opportunities can shape individuals' life chances, influencing their social mobility, access to education, healthcare, and overall quality of life.

Social inequality is universal because it exists in every society, regardless of its political, economic, or cultural system. It is a result of various factors such as wealth distribution, social class, gender, race, and education. Even in societies that strive for equality, there are still disparities and differences in opportunities, resources, and power among individuals and groups. This universal nature of social inequality highlights the need for ongoing efforts to address and reduce these disparities in order to create a more equitable society.

Throughout history, slavery has been a widespread practice in various societies across the world. From ancient civilizations to more recent times, countless individuals have been subjected to enslavement, forced labor, and exploitation. This dehumanizing institution has impacted different regions, cultures, and time periods, leaving a lasting legacy of suffering and injustice. The answer "True" accurately reflects the historical reality of slavery's prevalence throughout world history.

Contemporary conflict theorists believe that competition for limited resources is not only present between different social classes, but also within the same social class. This means that even individuals belonging to the same social class can compete with each other for resources. This perspective highlights the potential for conflict and inequality even within seemingly homogeneous groups.

A social stratification system is a system that categorizes individuals into different layers based on their power, property, and prestige. This system helps to create social hierarchy and inequality within a society. Neocolonialism refers to the economic and political dominance of a country over another, often resulting in exploitation. Industrialization is the process of transforming an economy from agriculture-based to industry-based. Globalization refers to the increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of countries through trade, communication, and cultural exchange. None of these options accurately describe a system where people are divided into layers based on power, property, and prestige, except for a social stratification system.

Marx believed that workers, due to various factors such as false consciousness and manipulation by capitalists, often develop a mistaken identification with the interests of the capitalist class. This identification hinders their ability to unite with other workers and recognize their common exploitation, thus impeding the possibility of a successful revolution. Therefore, the statement that Marx believed the tendency for workers to mistakenly identify with the interests of capitalists hindered their unity and impeded revolution is true.

Gender discrimination cuts across all systems of stratification because it is not limited to one specific social, economic, or political structure. It exists in various forms and affects individuals regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, or ethnicity. Gender discrimination can be observed in education, employment, healthcare, and other areas, highlighting its pervasive nature. This statement acknowledges that gender discrimination is a widespread issue that permeates all levels of society, reinforcing the need for addressing and combating it in all aspects of life.

This statement suggests that if the only factor determining admission to college is ability, then we have a meritocracy. In a meritocracy, individuals are rewarded and given opportunities based on their abilities and skills rather than factors such as social status or wealth. Therefore, if ability is the only criterion for college admission, it implies that the system is based on merit and rewards individuals solely based on their abilities, making the statement true.

Karl Marx believed that the means of production, which refers to the resources and tools necessary for producing goods and services, is the primary determinant of social class. He argued that those who own and control the means of production, such as capitalists, belong to the ruling class, while those who do not own the means of production, such as workers, belong to the working class. Marx's theory emphasizes the economic aspect of social class and suggests that class divisions are primarily driven by the relationship individuals have to the means of production.

The United States, Canada, Great Britain, and France are considered examples of the Most Industrialized Nations because these countries have highly developed industrial sectors and economies. They have advanced technology, infrastructure, and a high level of industrial production and manufacturing. These nations are known for their advanced industries, including manufacturing, technology, and services, and they contribute significantly to the global economy.

The basis of a caste system is ascribed status, which means that an individual's social position is determined by birth and is not subject to change. In a caste system, people are assigned to a specific caste or social group based on their family background, and they are expected to adhere to the rules and norms associated with that caste throughout their lives. This system is rigid and hierarchical, with limited social mobility, as individuals are not able to move up or down in the social hierarchy based on their achievements or abilities.

An ideology refers to a set of beliefs or ideas that justify and support social arrangements. It provides a framework for understanding and interpreting the social world, including the existing power dynamics and social structures. Ideologies often serve to maintain and legitimize the status quo, shaping people's attitudes, values, and behaviors. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is "an ideology."

Endogamy refers to the practice of marrying within one's own social, ethnic, or cultural group. It is most commonly associated with caste systems, where individuals are born into a specific social group and are expected to marry within that group. In a caste system, social status and occupation are determined by birth, and inter-caste marriages are often discouraged or forbidden. This promotes the preservation of social boundaries and reinforces the hierarchical structure of the caste system. Therefore, the correct answer is a caste system.

The statement "The Communist Party was highly stratified" is true. In a communist party, there is a strict hierarchy and division of power. The party is typically led by a central committee or a politburo, which holds the highest authority. Below them, there are various levels of party members, with each level having different responsibilities and privileges. This hierarchical structure ensures control and discipline within the party, allowing for efficient decision-making and implementation of policies.

Power refers to the ability to control or influence others, even against their will or objections. It involves having authority or control over resources, decision-making processes, and the ability to enforce one's will. Power can be exerted through various means, such as physical force, coercion, manipulation, or persuasion. It is a fundamental aspect of social relationships and plays a crucial role in social, political, and economic systems.

The correct answer is the divine right of kings. This concept suggests that a king's authority is derived directly from God, implying that the king has a divine mandate to rule and that challenging their authority is equivalent to challenging God's will. This idea was prevalent in many monarchies throughout history and justified the absolute power and authority of kings. It is distinct from Marxism, functionalism, and conflict theory, which focus on different perspectives and explanations of power and authority in society.

Gender stratification refers to the unequal distribution of resources, power, and opportunities between men and women in society. It is a cultural and social universal because it exists in various forms and to varying degrees in all societies around the world. This means that regardless of the specific cultural or social context, gender stratification is a common feature of human societies.

According to Marx, the people who work for the owners are referred to as the proletariat. The proletariat is the working class who do not own the means of production and have to sell their labor in order to survive. They are exploited by the bourgeoisie, who are the capitalist class that own the means of production. The proletariat is seen as the revolutionary class that will overthrow the bourgeoisie and establish a classless society.

Colonialism refers to the control exerted by powerful nations over the labor and natural resources of weaker nations. Through colonization, powerful nations establish political and economic dominance over weaker nations, often exploiting their resources and workforce for their own benefit. This control can manifest in various forms, such as establishing colonies, imposing trade restrictions, or implementing policies that benefit the colonizers at the expense of the colonized nations.

The given statement is false. Saudi Arabia does not have a caste system. The caste system is a social structure that is prevalent in some countries like India, where individuals are born into specific social groups and their social status is determined by their caste. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, follows a different social structure based on tribal affiliations and religious hierarchy. Therefore, the statement is incorrect.

According to Marx Weber, social class is determined by one's property, prestige, and power. This means that individuals are categorized into different social classes based on their ownership of property, their level of prestige or social status, and their level of power or influence in society. These factors play a significant role in determining an individual's social class and their position within the social hierarchy.

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All of the statements mentioned in the options are true. Slavery in some cases was temporary, meaning that slaves could be freed after a certain period of time or under certain conditions. Slavery was not necessarily inheritable, indicating that children of slaves may not always be born into slavery. Slaves were not necessarily powerless and poor, as some slaves could hold positions of power or have certain privileges. Therefore, all of the above statements are true concerning slavery.

Maquiladoras are assembly plants located in Mexico that specialize in manufacturing goods for export. These plants are often owned by foreign companies and benefit from the lower labor costs and trade agreements, such as NAFTA, which allows for duty-free exports to the United States and Canada. Therefore, the correct answer is maquiladoras.

Class systems are characterized by social mobility, which refers to the ability of individuals to move up or down the social ladder based on their achievements, skills, or qualifications. In a class system, individuals have the opportunity to improve their social standing through education, career advancement, or economic success. Unlike other systems, such as caste systems, class systems allow for a certain degree of fluidity and movement between social classes. Therefore, the correct answer is social mobility.

The correct answer is socialism. In the former Soviet Union, socialism served as the intermediate step between capitalism and communism. Socialism is an economic and political system where the means of production are owned and controlled by the state or the community as a whole. It aims to create a more equitable society by reducing the wealth gap and providing equal opportunities for all individuals. In the Soviet Union, socialism was implemented through the establishment of a planned economy and state ownership of industries. This laid the foundation for the eventual transition to communism.

Immanuel Wallerstein is associated with world system theory. He developed this theory in the 1970s, which analyzes the global economic and political system as a single unit. Wallerstein argues that the world system is characterized by a hierarchical division of labor, with core countries exploiting peripheral countries for their resources and labor. This theory emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of nations in the global system and seeks to understand the dynamics of power and inequality between them.

The correct answer is Communist Party membership. In the former Soviet Union, the system of stratification was primarily based on the individual's membership in the Communist Party. Party members enjoyed various privileges and opportunities, including better job prospects, access to higher education, and social status. Party membership was highly sought after and played a significant role in determining one's social standing and opportunities for advancement in society.

John Kenneth Galbraith claimed that the culture of the least industrialized countries held them back. Galbraith was an influential economist and diplomat who argued that traditional cultural values and practices in underdeveloped nations hindered their economic progress. He believed that these cultures emphasized tradition, hierarchy, and conformity, which stifled innovation and entrepreneurship. Galbraith's ideas challenged the prevailing notion that underdevelopment was solely due to lack of resources or technological advancements, and instead highlighted the role of cultural factors in shaping economic development.

The statement is false because the "First World" refers to the most developed and industrialized nations, not the least industrialized ones. The term originated during the Cold War to categorize countries aligned with the United States and its allies. The "Second World" referred to the communist countries, while the "Third World" referred to the non-aligned and developing nations.

Lenski suggested that both conflict theory and functionalism should examine the concept of surpluses. Surpluses refer to the excess resources or wealth that a society produces beyond what is necessary for basic survival. By analyzing surpluses, both theories can gain insights into power dynamics, social inequalities, and the distribution of resources within a society. This focus on surpluses allows for a deeper understanding of how social structures and institutions function and how they contribute to social change and conflict.

The correct answer is the working class. This refers to the social group of people who are employed for wages, typically in manual or low-skilled labor jobs. In Brazil, the "poorest of the poor" children would likely belong to this class as they are part of the labor force and work in low-paying jobs to support themselves and their families.

A class system is primarily based on achieved statuses rather than ascribed statuses. In a class system, individuals have the ability to move up or down the social ladder based on their achievements, such as education, occupation, and wealth. Ascribed statuses, on the other hand, are characteristics that individuals are born with or inherit, such as race, gender, and family background, which are not typically the primary basis for determining social class in a class system. Therefore, the statement that a class system is primarily based on ascribed statuses is false.

The statement suggests that until 1954, states always had two separate school systems. However, this is not true. The correct answer is False because before 1954, many states in the United States had segregated school systems, with separate schools for white and black students. This practice was overturned by the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, which declared racial segregation in schools unconstitutional.

Under the leadership of Lenin and Trotsky, the former Soviet Union was not able to create a classless society. Despite their efforts to establish a socialist system, the Soviet Union still had distinct social classes, with the Communist Party and government officials occupying positions of power and privilege. The existence of a ruling class contradicts the idea of a classless society. Additionally, the Soviet Union experienced significant social inequalities, with disparities in wealth, income, and access to resources. Therefore, the statement is false.

In her notes, Lerner mentions that the first individuals who were enslaved through warfare were women. This suggests that women were specifically targeted and captured as a result of conflicts or battles. The other options, such as criminals, debtors, and minority groups, do not align with the specific context provided in the question.

Marx concluded that social class depends on one's relationship to the means of production. This means that individuals are classified based on their ownership or lack of ownership of the resources and tools necessary for producing goods and services. According to Marx, those who own the means of production, such as factories or land, belong to the bourgeoisie or capitalist class, while those who do not own these means and must sell their labor to survive belong to the proletariat or working class. This relationship to the means of production determines one's social class and position in society.

The British perpetuate their class system between generations by emphasizing education. Education plays a crucial role in maintaining social stratification as it allows the upper class to secure prestigious positions and maintain their status, while limiting opportunities for social mobility for those from lower classes. The education system in Britain is often structured in a way that advantages the privileged class, providing them with better resources, networks, and opportunities for advancement. This perpetuates the cycle of inequality and ensures that social class is passed down from one generation to the next.

Multinational corporations operate across many national boundaries and have a significant impact on the global economy. They contribute to the global dominance of the Most Industrialized Nations by bringing in foreign investment, creating job opportunities, and promoting economic growth. These corporations often have extensive resources, advanced technology, and a wide network of subsidiaries and affiliates, allowing them to expand their operations globally. Through their economic influence, multinational corporations can shape international trade policies, establish market dominance, and maintain the economic power of the Most Industrialized Nations.

The criticism that the functionalists consider that stratification is the same everywhere and at all points in history suggests that the functionalist view fails to recognize the diversity and variation in social stratification across different societies and historical periods. This criticism highlights the limitation of the functionalist perspective in understanding the complexities and nuances of social inequality and stratification.

According to world system theory, core nations, nations on the semiperiphery, and nations on the periphery are all considered groups of interconnected nations. These groups represent different levels of economic development and power within the global system. Core nations are the most developed and powerful, while nations on the periphery are the least developed and powerful. Nations on the internal area which have extensive connections with the core nations are not mentioned in the theory, so they are not considered a group of interconnected nations.

The statement suggests that elites believe brute force is more effective than controlling information or ideas in maintaining stratification. However, this is not necessarily true. Elites often rely on the control of information and ideas to maintain their power and influence over the lower classes. By controlling access to knowledge and shaping public opinion, elites can ensure that their interests and positions are protected. While force may be used in some cases, it is not always the most effective or preferred method for maintaining stratification.

The correct answer is Lumpenproletariat. Marx believed that the lumpenproletariat, which includes farmers, beggars, and vagrants, constituted a social class that was disconnected from the means of production and lacked class consciousness. He considered them to be a marginalized and unproductive group, unable to contribute to the revolutionary struggle of the proletariat.

Moore and Davis, as functional theorists, aimed to justify social inequality rather than promote it. This means that they sought to provide reasons or arguments to explain why social inequality exists in society, rather than actively advocating for its promotion or perpetuation. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

The highest per capita income of people in the least industrialized nations is $12,600. This means that on average, individuals in these nations earn $12,600 per year. This income level is higher than the other options provided, indicating that individuals in these nations have a relatively higher standard of living compared to those in nations with lower per capita incomes.

Weber believed that social class was determined by a combination of three factors: property, prestige, and power. While property and prestige were indeed important factors, Weber argued that power, or the ability to influence others, was also a crucial determinant of social class. Therefore, the statement that property and prestige alone were the basis of social class is incorrect according to Weber's theory.

Michael Harrington argues that colonialism fell out of style and was replaced by neocolonialism. Neocolonialism refers to a form of indirect control and exploitation of former colonies by powerful nations through economic, political, and cultural means. It is characterized by economic dominance, unequal trade relationships, and continued dependency on the former colonial powers. Harrington's argument suggests that while the traditional form of colonialism may have declined, the powerful nations still exert control and influence over the former colonies through neocolonial practices.

Gaetano Mosca argued that every society will be stratified by power. Power, according to Mosca, is a fundamental aspect of social organization and plays a crucial role in determining the structure and hierarchy of societies. He believed that power is not evenly distributed among individuals and that there will always be a small ruling elite who hold the majority of power, while the majority of the population will have limited or no access to power. This power stratification is a key factor in shaping social classes and the overall structure of society.

The culture of poverty thesis suggests that poverty is a result of cultural factors and individual behavior, rather than structural or systemic issues. However, this explanation is not generally preferred by sociologists as it tends to blame individuals for their poverty rather than considering larger societal factors. Sociologists typically focus on structural factors such as economic systems, social inequality, and political systems when explaining global stratification. Therefore, the statement that the culture of poverty thesis is generally preferred by sociologists as an explanation of global stratification is false.