SOCIAL AND GLOBAL INEQUALITY

Social Stratification
 The term social stratification refers to the division of large social groups into smaller groups based on
categories determined by economics.
 Society is a hierarchy of individuals with varying access to or controls over basic economic resources. Among
sociologists, social stratification is often related to social standing, and it gives rise to inequality in society.
 Members of society are distinguished by their membership in and relation to social groups and categories.

With social stratification, society is divided into different classes. This social division reflects an unequal distribution of
status, wealth, and power within society and results in individuals and groups occupying varying positions of influence
and power. This leads to what is now called social inequality.

Social Inequality
 Social inequality is characterized where people have unequal access to valued resources, services, and positions
in society.
 Having this differential access to and use of resources across various domains (e.g., health, education,
occupations) based on gender, race/ethnicity, class, and other important social markers results in disparities.
 Nevertheless, social inequality is not limited to social classes' access to social, political, and symbolic capital.
There are other aspects of social inequality that must be addressed as well.

Aspects of Social Inequality

Gender Inequality
 Refers to discrimination on the basis of sex or gender causing one sex or gender to be routinely privileged or
prioritized over another. This also defines social hierarchy, as well as creates limitations and divisions among
social groups
Ethnic Minorities
 Ethnicity is the feeling of affinity or loyalty towards a particular population, cultural group, or territorial area
(being biased). This is different from race, which refers to a group of people who share a common ancestry.
Social inequality affects ethnic minorities in various forms such as racism, prejudice, and discrimination.
PWD’s and other Minorities
 There are certain groups that can be considered as part of the minority, such as persons with disabilities
(PWDs), the elderly, and communities living in remote areas. They also face social inequality, in the form of
discrimination, as well as other social issues such as the lack of access to resources and opportunities. The
PWDs often have problems finding employment, and more often than not they experience a treatment that is
different from the more capable co-workers. Communities living in isolated areas are not often given access to
basic services from electricity to clean water supply. There is also religious discrimination, which affects not just
the sects but the institutionalized and mainstream religions as well.
Global Inequality
 Social inequality not only affects certain societies but also on a global scale.
 Nowadays, the world is defined by differences in wealth and poverty.
 The unequal distribution of wealth, power, and prestige on a global basis is called global stratification; which
results in what refers to as global inequality.
 It causes varying lifestyles and opportunities among the nations.
 The systematic differences in wealth and power between countries.
What Is The Cause Of Global Inequality?
While there is no precise answer to this question; however Max Weber coined the term 'life chances', describing
how likely someone can reach success while considering certain factors. These factors include how we interact with
others and how our choices may affect not only ourselves but also others. If we will give examples of areas of global
inequality in society today would be gender, wealth and employment, health, and education. How we explain this
unequal distribution of resources will affect what we consider the cause. There are also various theories that explain
global inequality:

Modernization Theory
Economic growth understands underdevelopment as a lack of internal values and ideas that are inducive to economic
growth and development. From this perspective, global inequality exists because these countries have not yet
embraced Western (capitalist) ways of developing. The thinking goes that only when these countries have internally
adapted how their society is structured will they start to experience equal income, health, and education. This is
because they will finally have the economic resources to do so.
 Ways to address social and global inequality
First, the measures must be done is to be egalitarian and unbiased as much as possible. This perquisite alone is already
a big step in facing social inequalities. Second, there must be a goal that benefits social systems that is sufficiently
important that the society is going to strongly resist diminishing these measures that address inequalities. The
overarching benefits sought are mostly likely to be associated with the real gains to the society when social inequalities
no longer impair individuals from achieving their highest potential.

The measures could include the following:

1. Assure all families, individuals, residents, etc. are living in homes, receiving healthcare and education services and are
receiving incomes that meet far more than the minimum standards of living and are enabling freedom of choice for
individuals at all levels of society. This must be stable and guaranteed and include expectations that this standard will
continue. People must be able to plan their lives assured these standards will continue to improve as technology and
underlying infrastructure improves.

2. society must receive benefits from all whose abilities are nurtured and demonstrated by seeking the services of these
individuals to strengthen social institutions responsible for seeking those benefits regardless of the social status of
these high achievers.

3. There needs to be a focus on social rewards that are not associated with amassing a destabilizing amount of social,
political, military, economic, spiritual, judicial, or technical power that could destabilize the equitable system sought.

The goal would be to enable competition in all spheres of society for the improvement of economic productivity and
wealth shared broadly while the necessary goods and services that underwrite a food society aren’t neglected. For
example, personal care for the elderly, disabled, and other challenged people in today’s economy are inadequate and
unaffordable. If everyone had the assurances of the first set of measures, those who wish to provide the services
needed by the elderly, etc; would be free to do so and society as a whole would benefit. There would be less need for
nonprofit organizations to raise money to meet needs and more opportunity for these charitable organizations to
complete to improve the quality and productivity of the services provided.

For the other aspects of social inequality such as gender inequality, PWDs, and other minorities (these include
prejudice, discrimination, racism, etc.) we must promote equity than equality, because equality from the word itself
means sameness this promotes fairness and justice by giving everyone the same thing but it can only work if everyone
starts from the same place; equality only works more efficiently if everyone all the same; but we all know people are
born NOT equal, some are born with a golden spoon some with a wooden spoon, some are smarter than others, and
some are healthier than others it’s naïve to think everyone is the same. Unlike equality, Equity recognizes that everyone
doesn’t begin in the same place in society. Some people face adverse conditions and circumstances making it more
challenging with the same effort to achieve the same goals. Equity advocates for those who may have been historically
disadvantaged, making it difficult for them to be successful. What is “fair” as it relates to equity isn’t a question of what
is the same but rather the point from which a person begins. Equity takes into account historical and other factors in
determining what is fair because sometimes our differences or history can create barriers to participation, so must first
ensure Equity before we can enjoy equality.

Prepared & Reported by:

Regie Torres
Abigail Cabuling
Christine Rey