Question 1

Compare the concepts of wealth and income.

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Question 2

Social reproduction theory and the Davis-Moore hypothesis each identify people who benefit from economic inequality. For each approach, identify who benefits from economic inequality and why.

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Question 3

Neoliberal economic policies are more successful in reducing poverty than Johnson's War on Poverty-era policies.

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There is significant evidence to suggest that Johnson's War on Poverty-era policies, such as the creation of Medicaid and Medicare, food stamps, and Head Start, were successful in reducing poverty and improving the economic well-being of low-income Americans. Neoliberal economic policies, which prioritize free market principles and deregulation, have been associated with rising income inequality and decreased social safety net programs. While some may argue that these policies stimulate economic growth, the evidence is mixed on whether this growth is beneficial for all income levels.

Question 4

Compare intergenerational mobility and intragenerational mobility.

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Question 5

High economic inequality within a country is correlated with lower levels of social mobility.

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Studies have shown that countries with higher levels of economic inequality tend to have lower levels of social mobility. This means that economic disadvantages are often passed down from generation to generation, and it can be challenging for people from low-income families to move up the economic ladder.

Question 6

Describe how different systems of stratification permit, or prohibit, movement up or down in the social hierarchy.

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Question 7

What economic policies have been suggested to reduce economic inequality?

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Question 8

Social movements are rarely successful in raising awareness about economic inequality.

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Social movements have been successful in raising awareness about economic inequality. Examples include the Civil Rights Movement, the Occupy Wall Street Movement, and the Fight for $15 Movement. These movements have brought attention to issues such as systemic racism, income inequality, and minimum wage laws, leading to policy changes and increased public discourse on these issues.

Question 9

Meritocracy is the widely-shared cultural belief that people who experience economic success in the United States were rewarded for their hard work, dedication, and skill. How does this belief impact how the public views the upper classes and the lower classes?

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Question 10

What variables are used to determine an individuals' social class?

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Question 11

When a state adopts "right-to-work" laws, the pay decreases for both union and non-union employees.

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Right-to-work laws prohibit employers and unions from requiring workers to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment. This weakens the bargaining power of unions, which can ultimately lead to lower wages for both union and non-union employees.

Question 12

What are social and cultural capitals, and why are they important?

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Question 13

The Davis-Moore hypothesis argues that economic inequality can be reduced if laws are created to ensure that people have similar opportunities and resources to succeed, no matter what social class they were born into.

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The Davis-Moore hypothesis actually argues that social stratification, including economic inequality, is beneficial for society because it ensures that the most important roles are filled by the most qualified individuals, not that it can be reduced through laws ensuring equal opportunities.

Question 14

Occupy Wall Street helped spur the movement for a $15/hour minimum wage.

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The Occupy Wall Street movement brought attention to income inequality and economic injustice, and helped inspire the movement for a $15/hour minimum wage.

Question 15

Describe some of the societal health problems caused by economic inequality.

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Question 16

Social reproduction theory argues that high levels of economic inequality are good for society.

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Social reproduction theory actually argues the opposite – that high levels of economic inequality can reproduce and reinforce social inequality and power relations, and may not be good for society as a whole.

Question 17

In spite of the lofty goals, policies advocated by President Johnson in his "War on Poverty" was ultimately unable to decrease poverty rates in the United States.

Accepted Answer

The "War on Poverty" led to the creation of various programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and food stamps, which significantly contributed to the reduction of poverty rates in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s.

Question 18

How do neoliberal policies and redistributive policies impact economic inequality in the United States?

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Question 19

While government policies can increase economic inequality, they are capable of reducing economic inequality as well.

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Government policies can include progressive taxation, social welfare programs, and regulations that protect workers' rights and prevent exploitation. These policies can help redistribute wealth and reduce economic inequality.

Question 20

Increases in economic inequality are strongly correlated with increases in violent crime.

Accepted Answer

Numerous studies have found a positive association between economic inequality and violent crime, with inequality being a key predictor of homicide rates. Countries with high levels of inequality tend to have higher rates of violent crime compared to those with lower levels of inequality. However, it's important to note that correlation does not necessarily imply causation, and other factors such as social and cultural norms, unemployment, and access to firearms may also play a role in the relationship between inequality and violent crime.

Quiz 2: Analyzing Economic Inequalities