ANTHROP 1AB3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Proletariat, Bourgeoisie, Skin Whitening
Document Summary
Last class: race is a social construct; no biological basis. No genetic basis, fact that it has social consequences is still a part of many cultures worldwide. Perception: anthropologists and academics must look at realities of race an racism in the context of many societies. Many societies: race is a form of social stratification. Long history of putting particular judgements on certain races; giving greater prestige to some groups of people on the basis of skin colour. Definition: inequal access to: wealth, economic resources, power. Intensify as communities become large, develop agriculture, and develop the necessity for occupational specialization (different jobs) Capitalism increases forms of social hierarchies like class. Smaller societies: all are considered equal, no specialization because everyone contributes. Perceptions of an individual"s standing or status in society, normally based on economic criteria. Max weber: based on things like educational attainment, occupation, religious or spiritual affiliations, economics.