[W13.1] Social inequality - Shim ChaeYeon(심채연)

1) Summary

Social inequality refers to a phenomenon in which the distribution of resources, opportunities, and power is unevenly performed according to a specific socially defined group. Social inequality is mainly due to a lack of equality in outcomes, but it can also be due to a lack of equality in access to opportunities.

Economic inequality is a part of social inequality, which is explained by the uneven distribution of income or wealth. In addition to economic resources, social and natural resources are also unevenly distributed, which can affect social status. Social inequality can be divided into several types, including wealth inequality, treatment and responsibility inequality, political inequality, life inequality, and member inequality:

Social status can be divided into attribution characteristics and achievement characteristics. Attributed characteristics refer to characteristics that cannot be controlled by an individual, such as gender, skin color, and place of birth, and achievement characteristics refer to characteristics acquired by an individual, such as education level and marital status. 

The theoretical approach to explaining social inequality explores the causes of inequality, how resources are allocated, and the role of human cooperation and conflict. As for the ideological approach to inequality, individualism is based on the ideological belief that economic decisions should be made by individuals, and collectivism seeks to reduce inequality through group regulation.

Social mobility means that individuals move along social classes. Mobility can be divided into intra-generational mobility, absolute management movement, and relative mobility. Social class is a concept that measures an individual's social status based on income, education, and occupation. Class, race, and gender are the main factors that lead to inequality.

Social inequality is a complex and multi-layered problem that requires various theoretical approaches and policy efforts to understand and solve it.


2) Something interesting or new that I learned

It is interesting that the term meritocracy originated from a dystopian essay. The term referring to the fact that the elite think that their success is all about their efforts and abilities without thinking about their background has come to mean that in today's society, a person with really excellent abilities is sitting in a high position. It's ironic, as the wiki says. It is a proof that so many people feel displeased with people who sit in high positions without ability, and that they think they are more capable than an incompetent person who sits there. Believing that in meritocratic society they will lead a better life than now, it is because they think that they are in a lower position than their ability. How many of those who think like that have the upper hand in an ideal meritocratic society? It is also a story that people are fed up with the numerous irregularities that are currently occurring in society.


 3) Questions & Discussions

Is inequality a necessary phenomenon? To what extent should our society allow inequality? As you know, if there is no inequality at all, it will not be a capitalist society. However, if inequality and gap between classes become too severe, it leads to a crisis in society. To what extent should equality and redistribution be supported by the state?

Is Korea currently a meritocratic society? What exactly is the 'ability' that we talk about in a meritocratic society? Is it the ability to perform a task? Is it property? Is it money and status that you have inherited from your parents since birth? What abilities do you think should be valued more?

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