Question

a) Describe 3 arguments for why high levels of economic inequality are a social problem.

b) What would a: Conflict theorist, Symbolic Interactionist and a Structural Functionalist say about why we have different social classes?

Answer 1

a) Economic equality refers to the disparity between the citizens of a nation on the basis of income and wealth. One society comprises of both wealthy and poor people who are distinct from each other. Economic inequality is often characterized by the general though and aphorism that the rich become richer and the poor become poorer. This shows the gap which the two section of the society possesses. It arises as a gap between the income and the assets ration between the two. It has been observed that the siches have been highly concentrated in the hands of the fewer. The larger mass is left lying on the verge of poverty.
The arguments for why high levels of economic inequality are a social problem are:

Economic inequality is a reason for diminishing growth of a society and a nation. Though it has been that for a short period of time, inequality brings growth but for a longer period of time, it slows the growth of the nation. It brings with it an increase in the number of people in poverty. It later encourages the development of slums as a result of urbanization and migration. These factors bring in with them the problems related to space, job opportunities, the mental and physical growth of the people and the development of the society. Inequality gives rise to the frequency of the crimes in order to make a livelihood. The basic facilities related to health, education, and sanitation fall short to reach every member in such an unequal society. It also gives rise to the insecure political situations of the nation. The political powers mostly according to the wealthy and rich people which creates a sense of discrimination and unbalance in the society.

b) According to the Conflict Theorist, revolves around the issues related to the social inequality which is a result of the division of resources among the people of the same society and the conflicts which exist between the classes for this reason. Marx had explained the theory by dividing the conflict between two classes of the society. The bourgeoisie is the upper class of the society who holds up the majority of the wealth while the proletariat is the working class people who are poor.
According to Symbolic Interactionist Theory, communication is the way through which the exchange of ideas takes place. This focuses on nature, behavior and the way people make sense in their social worlds. The words, the tone, the language and symbols all are the reflection of the surrounding and the class to which they belong. This theory shapes the distinction between the classes of the society according to the behavior, the way of communication and the world in which one has been grown up.
According to the Structural Functionalist Theory, the body of a person and the society possess some things in common with each other. This theory argues that as different organs of the body function with proper coordination, in the same way, the function of the society works. Society comprises of all the types of people in it and hence works through it. this form of class distinction values the division of the class on merit level and not on its ills.