The concept of inequality has been one of the most long-standing issues within society. Affecting both the global community and local ones, the phenomenon of inequality is determined by an array of factors, inequality in wealth distribution and the resulting class issues being the key ones. Though some of the statements posited by the authors of theories of economic inequality could be seen as dubious in the present-day context, the significance of the class struggle and the problem of marginalization as the main impediment to equity and equality remain true.
The concept of social stratification and the role that social background plays in the extent o one’s chances to succeed might seem less relevant for members of the present-day economic and sociocultural environment. Indeed, with the rise of the impact that online media has created, the limitations imposed on individuals from lower social class may seem less devastating. Specifically, the increase in the range of education and professional development opportunities that the online setting provides could be seen as a means of reducing the extent of adverse effects that socioeconomic inequality has created (Altınoklu & Boyraz, 2022). However, the described factor has not alleviated the effects of class inequality, which means that more profound sociocultural changes must take place in order to address the current issues.
The observed concern could be seen as the direct effect of intersectionality. Outlined as one of the core issues covered in the course, the specified notion allows exploring the connections between different aspects of a community’s identity and the associated factors shaping its embers’ opportunities and social status. Specifically, the extent of options for education and career development, as well as the related opportunities for accumulating we4alth, is believed to be significantly higher among members of the dominant ethnicity and race, whereas ethnic and racial minorities experience major obstacles in the specified areas of development (Altınoklu & Boyraz, 2022). Indeed, personal prejudices shape access to marginalized and otherwise vulnerable communities’ access to information and the related opportunities, therefore, preventing the specified population from exploring the available opportunities and advancing in their socioeconomic status.
Admittedly, apart from the established perspectives on social stratification, new ideas have emerged over the past several decades, allowing one to embrace the issue thoroughly and consider it as a more profound sociocultural, socioeconomic, and sociopolitical concern. Specifically, the contradictory class location framework designed by Wright as an amalgamation of Marx’s and Weber’s perspectives on the issue deserves to be mentioned. Implying that certain class locations may imply greater control over resources for members of the lower class, the specified theory could be seen as a viable explanation of the present-day environment (Altınoklu & Boyraz, 2022). Namely, the increasing role of digital and social media in the creation of additional opportunities for building personal capital represents a manifestation of Wright’s theory of contradictory class locations being put in action.
Although the theories developed to support the analysis of economic inequality need further adjustments to reflect the recent changes observed within the socioeconomic setting, the present-day dynamics of socioeconomic relationships and wealth distribution appears to remain the same. Therefore, the readings in question are exceptionally important in understanding the sociocultural underpinnings of the current economic concerns and the related sociopolitical changes within society, including both the global community and local ones. In order to advance change and shift the existing status quo, one will need to consider abolishing the very option of class, which is impossible within the current sociocultural, socioeconomic, and sociopolitical contexts.
Reference
Altınoklu, M. N., & Boyraz, C. (2022). A debate on the theory of contradictory class locations and middle classes: reproduction strategies of small traders in Turkey. Turkish Studies, 1-27.