Reay, Diana et al. 2001. Choices of Degree or Degrees of Choice? Class, ‘Race’ and the Higher Education Process. Sociology. 35 (4), 855-874
The aims of the research conducted in this article were to find out how class and ‘race’ issues affect a student’s decision making process into higher education.
A key concept used by the author was that the history of higher education is overshadowed by class inequalities, not much attention has been paid to ‘race’ issues. This is highlighted by the criticism that existing literature has not focused on ethnicity being an influence in choice making, but narratives of students show it as a powerful factor and therefore the focus on non-traditional entrants to university is a key part of the study.
The …show more content…
Weber believes there is a lot more to inequality than class. He believed that there are three types of inequality: economic (class), social (status) and legal (party). Each were separate forms of inequality that could be interconnected. For example, one may acquire social power from also having economic power. However, Wendy Bottero argues that ‘Weber is unwilling to make any systematic statement of the links between economic position and status, or status and party allegiance’. (Bottero 2005: 50)
The first form of inequality is class. Everyone has a unique ‘class position’ determined by two factors: ownership of property and skills that can be sold on the labour market. Both allow us to get ahead in the economy. Weber believes there are four social classes: the working class, petit bourgeoisie, property-less intellectuals and the propertied class. Social mobility is possible, but it’s very difficult to get into the top class as it closes itself in terms of property and …show more content…
Parties can be any legal organisation, such as trade unions. They are often orientated towards the state, which members can use to gain advantage. There are two types: parties of principle and of patronage. Parties of principle usually have certain goals they want to fulfil, such as pressure groups. Parties of patronage want to keep a grip on power so its members still have advantages. Although Weber classes this as an important form of inequality, he is much more concerned with the relationship between class and status than the relationship with either of the former between party. It seems as though this component does not fit with the
The aims of the research conducted in this article were to find out how class and ‘race’ issues affect a student’s decision making process into higher education.
A key concept used by the author was that the history of higher education is overshadowed by class inequalities, not much attention has been paid to ‘race’ issues. This is highlighted by the criticism that existing literature has not focused on ethnicity being an influence in choice making, but narratives of students show it as a powerful factor and therefore the focus on non-traditional entrants to university is a key part of the study.
The …show more content…
Weber believes there is a lot more to inequality than class. He believed that there are three types of inequality: economic (class), social (status) and legal (party). Each were separate forms of inequality that could be interconnected. For example, one may acquire social power from also having economic power. However, Wendy Bottero argues that ‘Weber is unwilling to make any systematic statement of the links between economic position and status, or status and party allegiance’. (Bottero 2005: 50)
The first form of inequality is class. Everyone has a unique ‘class position’ determined by two factors: ownership of property and skills that can be sold on the labour market. Both allow us to get ahead in the economy. Weber believes there are four social classes: the working class, petit bourgeoisie, property-less intellectuals and the propertied class. Social mobility is possible, but it’s very difficult to get into the top class as it closes itself in terms of property and …show more content…
Parties can be any legal organisation, such as trade unions. They are often orientated towards the state, which members can use to gain advantage. There are two types: parties of principle and of patronage. Parties of principle usually have certain goals they want to fulfil, such as pressure groups. Parties of patronage want to keep a grip on power so its members still have advantages. Although Weber classes this as an important form of inequality, he is much more concerned with the relationship between class and status than the relationship with either of the former between party. It seems as though this component does not fit with the