Causes and Effects of Inequality and Disadvantage in Society

Evaluate the causes and
effects of inequality and
disadvantage in society
Name of the student

What is ‘Social Inequality’?
 Social inequality is not just social
difference.
 It is a comparative term in
comparison with other individuals in
a society
 It is a disadvantages or inequality
with respect to social context.
 Principle inequalities in a society can
be divided into –
- Class
- Gender
- Race
- disparities in wealth and
income (Scheffer 2017)

Social theories related to
inequalities
 Functionalist theory
- Primary focus is on the
functioning of beliefs, values
and institutions within a society.
- Associated with Emile
Durkheim
- it is desirable to a society
for its proper functioning (Ritzer
and Stepnisky 2017)

Social theories related to
inequalities (Contd.)
 Conflict theory
- suggested by Karl Marx.
- perpetual competition
because of limited resources.
- Four primary assumptions
are there for conflict theory.
They are:
-- Competition
-- Revolution
-- Structural
inequality
-- War (Ritzer and
Stepnisky 2017)