SOC 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Social Exclusion
Document Summary
Dialectic materialism struggle between contradictory, interacting forces that eventually results not in victory for one of the forces, but in the creation of a third force that replaces the two opposing forces. Religion is a clever means of stratification, some benefit greatly while some suffer. Inequalities of income and wealth are extreme, both ends of the spectra consider themselves middle class . The wealthy have shaped their environment by funding/enforcing laws to maintain their lifestyles. Poor cant overcome poverty just by simply overcoming pervasive inadequacy. While most cultures prize being distinct/different, americans enjoy being average. 45% of americans identified themselves as middle class . Even the poorest fifth of the population chooses this nearly 1/3 of the time. Americans believe it"s easy to rise or fall. But rich tend to get richer and poor face more obstacles. The top fifth make over twice as much money as those one step lower.
