Foundational Sociological Theories: Saint-Simon & Marx
Saint-Simon’s Impact on Sociology
Henri de Saint-Simon (1760–1825), a French thinker, is considered one of the early founders of sociology. Though not a sociologist in the modern sense, his ideas laid important groundwork for the development of the discipline. His work focused on society, social change, industrial development, and the role of science in social progress. His major contributions include:
Founding Social Science & Positivism
Saint-Simon is considered among the first to view society
Read MoreUnderstanding Urban Inequality: Housing, Segregation, and Justice
Eviction: A Driver of Poverty and Instability
Evictions have become more frequent and normalized in low-income urban neighborhoods. They are not just a consequence of poverty but also a driver of it. Matthew Desmond shows how eviction creates housing instability, disrupts employment and schooling, and contributes to health problems. It disproportionately affects women of color and reveals how the housing market profits from their vulnerability.
Inner-City Housing Conditions and Causes
Inner-city housing
Read MoreConservative Party Leadership and Electoral Challenges: 1997-2005
Leaders and Reasons for Divisions
The scale of the election defeat in 1997 produced a gradual, visible crisis in the Conservative Party, which became increasingly focused on the future direction of the party. Some could wait for the electorate to come to their senses and realise that the Conservatives were the ‘natural party of government’, whilst others recognised that the 1997 election was a turning point and that the party would have to change if it was to be electable again.
William Hague:
Read MoreSociety, Culture, and Social Structures: An In-Depth Look
Social Stratification
Social stratification categorizes people in a hierarchical system. Caste systems, prevalent in agrarian societies, are based on ascription and allow little to no social mobility. Class systems, incorporating meritocracy, are found in high-income societies and permit social mobility based on individual achievement.
The Sociological Perspective
The sociological perspective demonstrates how the general operation of society influences the experiences of individuals.
The Structural-
Read MoreUnderstanding Social Stratification: Class, Inequality, and Mobility
Social Stratification
Social stratification describes the disparities that exist between individuals and groups within societies. Human societies are composed of “layers” in which the most favored are ranked at the top and the less privileged at the bottom.
Historically (Types of Stratification)
- Slavery: An extreme form of inequality in which an individual is the property of another.
- Caste: Associated with Indian cultures and the concept of reincarnation in Hinduism.
- Estates or States: European feudalism.
Understanding Social Inequality: Key Concepts & Factors
Understanding Social Inequality
Symbolic Interaction and Inequality
Ideology often justifies inequality, leading us to accept it.
Consequences of Inequality
- Economic Differences
- Life Chances: Opportunity to succeed
- Health: Wealthier individuals tend to be healthier
- Education: Wealthier individuals often have access to better education
- Work Life: Disparities exist between the working conditions of the poor (e.g., factories) and the rich (e.g., offices)
- Lifestyle
The American Dream and Social Mobility
“The American
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