Sociology Assignment: Inequalities, Stratification, and Social Science

This sociology assignment explores the multifaceted nature of inequality and its origins, drawing on the work of prominent sociologists. It examines how socioeconomic status, race, gender, and other factors contribute to stratification in the United States, emphasizing the role of essentialism in shaping societal beliefs. The assignment delves into the concepts of objectivation and the achievement ideology, analyzing how these ideas perpetuate inequality. It discusses Michael Schwalbe's perspective on inequality as a product of human actions and James W. Russell's focus on the racial foundations of class inequality, providing insights into the historical and social construction of disparities. The assignment also touches upon the role of belief systems in justifying domination and exploitation, offering a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics of inequality.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE 1
Sociology and Social Science
Name
Institution

SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE 2
SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE
Tracy E. Ore
Question 1
In the United States, the system of stratification is particularly based on an individual’s
Socioeconomic Status (SES) that takes into account their occupation, income, and education. In
the United States, stratification is as a result of the race, gender, family, ancestry, and ethnicity,
race, and age (Ore & Kurtz, 2000). Besides, IQ, personal skills, athletic abilities, and
achievements are other categories of stratification. However, it is assumed that the categories
cannot be changed because people believe in essentialism. Hence, Americans believe that certain
properties are fixed at birth and therefore cannot be changed. Tracy E. Ore clearly articulates that
the belief of essentialism entails the fact that a person’s behavior is natural and is predetermined
by their genetic, physiological, as well as biological mechanisms, and therefore are not subject to
change. Through essentialism, individuals can order their social world, including determining
what they value and what they devalue.
Question 2
Objectivation is whereby products become independent of those who developed them.
For example, individuals lose awareness that they are the authors of their cultural and social
environments and that they are the authors of reality. Objectivation makes individuals feel as if
products have an objective existence.

SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE 3
Michael Schwalbe
Question Three
Schwalbe notes that inequality is an accomplishment because it does not take place
suddenly. However, inequality is as a result of the way of thinking of people. Hence, inequality
can best be understood by looking at what individuals do and think. Individuals learn how to
react to inequality from others, and constantly, individuals are normally held accountable
regarding their performance of inequality (Schwalbe, 2008). Inequality is an accomplishment
whereby people steal, extort, as well as exploit from others to hoard social along with the
material resources. Schwalbe advocates that rather than referring to inequality as a noun, we
should consider it as a verb because inequality results from individuals’ actions.
Question 4
According to Michael Schwalbe, Europeans were the first people to create vast systems
of inequality to amerce cultural and material resources. However, Michael identifies the
emergence of inequality in the appearance of economic surplus as societies transformed from
communal gathering and hunting societies to agricultural production. This enabled a few
personas to live off the excess products produced by others. The human and historical
development of class testified society has resulted in exploitation. This can be seen in how the
Europeans tread native by enslaving them. The slaves worked for them under harsh conditions.

SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE 4
James W. Russel
Question 5
James’ main focus is to demonstrate the racial foundation of inequality, arguing that race
inequality brought about class inequality. The conquest of the native individuals was traced back
to North America. Modern class and race history in North America is dated back to European
imposition of colonial rule over indigenous societies. Hence, it is evident that racism resulted in
slavery, making the Europeans conquer lands and wealth, thus justifying the existence of class
inequality.
Question 6
Europeans conquered new lands by fostering racial groupings as well as racist beliefs to
justify domination, enslavement, and extermination of other individuals. During Europeans’
conquest across the world, the belief system helped create and sustain inequality since there were
questions as to whether Indians were human beings or less superior in terms of development,
thus, the Christian moral principles could not apply to them (Russell, 2009). Also, Africans were
considered less inferior and were to be treated like farm animals. As a result, the belief system
was able to create and sustain inequalities because indigenous people were considered inferior.

SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE 5
References
Ore, T. E., & Kurtz, P. (2000). The social construction of difference and inequality. Mayfield
Publishing.
Russell, J. W. (2009). Class and race formation in North America. University of Toronto Press.
Schwalbe, M. (2008). Rigging the game: How inequality is reproduced in everyday life. Oxford
University Press, USA.