SO203: Structures of Inequality

SO203: Structures of InequalitySarah.kennedy.2009@nuim.ieOffice Hour: TUES @ 10 B.4.Sarahkennedytutorials.blogspot.com{What is inequality?

What does it mean to be equal to someone else?

Do we have equality in Ireland? - Are we all born equal? Why/why not examples?

Davis and Moore (1944)Society has certain roles that need to be filled these roles must be filled by suitable people.Inequality is necessary different rewards aware awarded to different positions.The greatest reward to to positions that have the greatest importance for society, and require the most amount of training.

Equality of opportunity (Baker et al. 2004) supports the realization of potential and individual goals. All resulting inequalities are natural and fair i.e. meritocracy.Functionalism and Stratificationhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KlmvmuxzYE

Functionalism assumes that members of a society share certain normative values, and collectively agree to assign varying levels of importance to different positions.Those in positions of authority have certain common interests and seek to maintain the status quo. Functionalism and Equality of Opportunity do not take into consideration the structural factors, and power structures that maintain the status quo and hierarchies of power e.g. class, sexism, racism, homophobia etc.

Conflict Theory and Critiques of Functionalism

http://researchrepository.ucd.ie/bitstream/handle/10197/2862/Baker%20(2009)%20Liberal%20Equality%20versus%20Equality%20of%20Condition%20(pre-print).pdf?sequence=1