Question 1

What are the main patterns of social inequality in the UK today?

Accepted Answer

Key patterns include the gender pay gap (women earn 15.5% less than men on average), ethnic inequalities in employment (e.g., Black graduates are more likely to be unemployed than White graduates), and class-based differences in educational attainment (students eligible for free school meals are less likely to achieve top GCSE grades). Age also matters: older people are more likely to experience poverty, while younger people face higher housing costs. These patterns are documented by sources like the ONS and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Question 2

How do Marxists explain social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Marxists argue that inequality is a direct result of capitalism, where the bourgeoisie (ruling class) exploit the proletariat (working class) for profit. They see patterns like the wealth gap (the richest 1% own 20% of UK wealth) as inevitable under capitalism. Marxists believe that the state and education system legitimise this inequality through ideology (e.g., the myth of meritocracy). Unlike functionalists, they argue inequality is not functional but a source of conflict that will eventually lead to revolution.

Question 3

What is the difference between functionalist and Weberian explanations of inequality?

Accepted Answer

Functionalists (e.g., Davis and Moore) argue that inequality is necessary to motivate people to fill important roles, so it benefits society. Weberians, however, see inequality as multidimensional, involving class (economic position), status (social prestige), and party (political power). For example, a wealthy doctor has high class and status, while a wealthy criminal may have class but low status. Weberians focus on how groups use social closure to maintain privilege, unlike functionalists who see inequality as meritocratic.

Question 4

How can I use intersectionality in my exam answers?

Accepted Answer

Intersectionality, coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, helps explain how overlapping identities (e.g., being a Black woman) create unique disadvantages. For example, when discussing the gender pay gap, note that Black women earn less than White women, and disabled women earn even less. In an exam, apply intersectionality to show deeper analysis: for instance, argue that a working-class Pakistani Muslim woman faces compounded inequality in the labour market due to class, ethnicity, gender, and religion. This demonstrates sophisticated understanding.

Question 5

Why do official statistics sometimes underestimate inequality?

Accepted Answer

Official statistics can underestimate inequality due to underreporting (e.g., hate crimes or domestic violence), hidden populations (e.g., the homeless are often missed in surveys), and definitions that exclude certain groups (e.g., the 'poverty line' may not capture in-work poverty). For example, the ONS's income data may miss the very wealthy who hide assets. Sociologists like Atkinson argue that we need multiple measures (e.g., the Gini coefficient, the Palma ratio) to get a fuller picture.

Question 6

What are the main criticisms of the functionalist view of inequality?

Accepted Answer

Critics argue that functionalism (Davis and Moore) is tautological: it assumes inequality is functional because it exists. Marxists say it ignores exploitation, while feminists point out that it justifies gender inequality (e.g., women's roles are devalued). Additionally, functionalism cannot explain why some roles (e.g., footballers) are highly rewarded despite low 'functional importance'. Empirical evidence shows that social mobility is limited, contradicting the idea of meritocracy. For example, the Sutton Trust found that privately educated students dominate top professions.

How can patterns and trends in social inequality and difference be explained?

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