SCS110 Essay: Analysis of Social Inequality in Australia

This essay provides a detailed analysis of social inequality in Australia, despite the country's egalitarian ideals. It examines the significant income disparities and differences in living standards, highlighting the impact of class systems, social networks, and cultural habits. The essay uses quantitative and qualitative data, historical context, and governmental publications to support its arguments. It incorporates various sociological theories, including those related to education, racism, and the perspectives of functionalist and conflict theorists. The essay also addresses the role of government in addressing these issues and explores the cultural structure of Australian society. The bibliography includes several sources supporting the arguments made in the essay.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Sociology
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author’s Note

1SOCIOLOGY
Introductory Section
The social inequality in Australia has a significant role to play in the shaping of the economic
condition that is prevalent. A high end difference in the income group and the difference in
living standard have become prominent in the country which has triggered various debates in
different platforms (Kennedy et al., 2017). Though this particular statement is quite contradictory
to the very concept of egalitarianism in Australian society, the hard truth can be found on
detailed analysis. This essay will reflect the detailed analysis of the inequality that exists in the
social context of Australia despite the existence of rigid class system, based on the financial
situations, social networks and cultural habits (Dorling, 2015). The discussion will also contain
various statistical data extracted from authentic journals, and backed by the governmental data
received from various publications. Therefore, the discussion will majorly be based on
quantitative/ qualitative, historical and documentary data that has been collected from various
sources (Hurst, Gibbon & Nurse, 2016). In addressing the issues, a variety of theories that relates
to the social inequality context will be used that is comprehensive of the education differences,
racism, white privileges, etc. (Park & Shin, 2017). Moreover, it will be backed by other theories
that will be based on functionalist and conflict theorists and their opinion on the Australian
context of social inequality (Howarth & Kennedy, 2016). The main theory of classlessness of the
society has a major influence on the cultural structure of the country, however, the distinction in
the other aspects will be highlighted (Oishi & Kesebir, 2015). The governmental role in this
prospect has been regarded to the highest priority and therefore, the situation that is prevailing
are discussed on a broader scale.

2SOCIOLOGY
Bibliography
Dorling, D. (2015). Injustice (revised edition): Why social inequality still persists. Policy Press.
Howarth, R. B., & Kennedy, K. (2016). Economic growth, inequality, and well-
being. Ecological Economics, 121, 231-236.
Hurst, C. E., Gibbon, H. M. F., & Nurse, A. M. (2016). Social inequality: Forms, causes, and
consequences. Routledge.
Kennedy, T., Rae, M., Sheridan, A., & Valadkhani, A. (2017). Reducing gender wage inequality
increases economic prosperity for all: Insights from Australia. Economic Analysis and
Policy, 55, 14-24.
Oishi, S., & Kesebir, S. (2015). Income inequality explains why economic growth does not
always translate to an increase in happiness. Psychological science, 26(10), 1630-1638.
Park, D., & Shin, K. (2017). Economic growth, financial development, and income
inequality. Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, 53(12), 2794-2825.