Inequality and the hierarchy of status and prestige is a concept as ancient as the beginning of large scale human organization itself. While most all major societies have experienced some variations in inequality among their population, none so is more apparent than in the United States, currently ranks among the highest in unequal institutions in the developing world (Desilver, 2013). To question if the inequality that exists is an inevitable occurrence in society is also to question whether it stems from a natural or biological cause. Institutional disparities are then explained by Functionalist and Conflict perspectives in an attempt to define the root of these differences among people and whether they are desirable for all in society.
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Race serves as a good example that while it can be perceived as natural differences between humans, no biological evidence has been found to support the claim (Hurst, 2012, p. 170). Instead, like race, inequality is not inherently biological and is instead created and perpetuated by social conditions. Historically, White Europeans benefited from the subjugation of slaves and the monopolization of economic resources in colonial America. From the mid-eighteen century to the mid-nineteenth century, wealth concentration began to increase rapidly, and as of 2007, the wealthiest 20 percent own 85 percent of all of the wealth in the United States. Whites privilege is reflected in their network that about 16 times that of Blacks today. (Hurst, 2012, p.32). These historical dispositions to racial inequality contribute to the notion that disparities between racial, economical, and wealth inequalities are ever changing and are defined by institutional forces outside of an individual’s …show more content…
The Marxian Conflict perspective highlights class struggles between the elites and the subordinated population in a capitalist society. Studies done on American public opinion shows that while most agree that there should be some level of inequality in order to motivate individuals to work hard, many also agree that the income and wage disparities in the U.S are too extreme and should be remedied (Hurst, 2012, p.5). The richest 1 percent own 1/3rd of all wealth in the U.S while in deep contrast to the majority of the population only owns less than 1 percent. This data highlights the stark differences between who benefits from the unequal system and who does not (Hurst, 2012, p.354). Americans feel differently about equality of opportunity than they do about income and the fairness in the distribution of scarce and desired goods. While it is generally agreed upon that individuals should have access to equal rights, many are aware that there are broader social conditions that inhibit upward
Race serves as a good example that while it can be perceived as natural differences between humans, no biological evidence has been found to support the claim (Hurst, 2012, p. 170). Instead, like race, inequality is not inherently biological and is instead created and perpetuated by social conditions. Historically, White Europeans benefited from the subjugation of slaves and the monopolization of economic resources in colonial America. From the mid-eighteen century to the mid-nineteenth century, wealth concentration began to increase rapidly, and as of 2007, the wealthiest 20 percent own 85 percent of all of the wealth in the United States. Whites privilege is reflected in their network that about 16 times that of Blacks today. (Hurst, 2012, p.32). These historical dispositions to racial inequality contribute to the notion that disparities between racial, economical, and wealth inequalities are ever changing and are defined by institutional forces outside of an individual’s …show more content…
The Marxian Conflict perspective highlights class struggles between the elites and the subordinated population in a capitalist society. Studies done on American public opinion shows that while most agree that there should be some level of inequality in order to motivate individuals to work hard, many also agree that the income and wage disparities in the U.S are too extreme and should be remedied (Hurst, 2012, p.5). The richest 1 percent own 1/3rd of all wealth in the U.S while in deep contrast to the majority of the population only owns less than 1 percent. This data highlights the stark differences between who benefits from the unequal system and who does not (Hurst, 2012, p.354). Americans feel differently about equality of opportunity than they do about income and the fairness in the distribution of scarce and desired goods. While it is generally agreed upon that individuals should have access to equal rights, many are aware that there are broader social conditions that inhibit upward