SOC 103 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: South African Class 19C 4-8-2, Social Inequality, Credentialism And Educational Inflation

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 103
• Professor: Rebecca Lock

Document Summary

What is meant by the concept of ideology. How do mass media reinforce current class relations in society. Ideology: a body of assumptions, ideas, valued that combine a coherent world-view. Ideas can be accepted/rejected for fitting/not fitting within existing ideology framework. They are built into us over time through a process called socialization. Every ideology at its core assumes superiority to other beliefs/behaviours. All societies have communally-accepted core set of beliefs. Marx: those with economic power in a society also have power over its ideas. In class-based societies, inevitable that certain ideas will dominate others. Ideological hegemony (dominance): those with economic power in society are able to dominate the ideological sphere. Ruling class has interest/control in promoting/defending those ideas; maintain status quo. Does this through combination of coercion and persuasion. Way we see the world (natural/common sense) is socially constructed.