SOCIOL 2T03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Meritocracy, Social Class, Social Reproduction
16 Jan 2020
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Categories of people who share an economic position in society based on a combination of their income (earnings), wealth (possessions), education, occupation, and social connections". Structured forms of economic inequalities that are part of the organization of everyday social life" based on class. Class-based odds for achieving economic success and gaining economic power (and other forms of power that those chances confer". Social relations and interactions between people of different social classes that result from the power differences between different classes of people. North american society largely subscribes to an ideology of meritocracy. Assumes that people make economic and social gains based on their abilities, hard work, etc. However, most disadvantaged people, event those who work hard, cannot achieve social mobility. Yet, ideology of meritocracy celebrates the exceptional few who do so, by implying that anyone can achieve this. In a meritocracy, it is assumed that power and success (winning) is proof of individual ability, worth, and character".
