Workplace
A large corporation where the CEO and top executives earn exorbitant salaries and bonuses while the majority of workers, such as those on the production line or in customer service, receive minimal wages. The CEO and executives, who primarily make strategic decisions and manage the company, benefit disproportionately from the profits generated by the labor of the workers.
Who is Karl Marx?
This example illustrates how the capitalist mode of production creates and perpetuates inequality within the workplace, with power and wealth concentrated in the hands of the capitalist class (the owners and executives) at the expense of the working class (the proletariat).
A student in high school participates in no extracurricular activities. Because of this, they are less well connected with other students, have no personal relationships with any teachers, and are relatively unknown by most of their peers, as opposed to their more involved peers, causing them to avoid participating in class, thus falling behind.
Who is Max Weber?
This scenario reflects a critique of how social relationships and networks of influence can impact an individual's opportunities and outcomes within a hierarchical social structure.
Beneath the star players of an NFL team are average performers and rookies who may lack the same level of experience as their higher-profile counterparts. These players may have shorter careers, lower salaries, and less visibility in the media compared to star players, but are necessary to the overall success of their teams and the league.
Who are Kingsley and Moore?
Inequality in the NFL serves functional purposes by rewarding individuals' talents, skills, and contributions to the success of the league. Hierarchical structures and performance differentiation ensure the efficient allocation of resources and opportunities, contributing to the overall competitiveness and entertainment value of professional football.
Within a travelling circus, there exists a stark disparity in income and opportunities between headlining acts and supporting performers. Headlining acts, typically featuring star performers or exotic animals, command higher salaries and receive preferential treatment, while supporting performers struggle to make ends meet on meager wages, despite working twice as long in rehearsals.
Who is Karl Marx?
This scenario highlights how the capitalist structure of the circus industry exploits the labor of performers for profit, perpetuating inequality and exploitation within the entertainment sector.
Staff members at a library may perform essential tasks such as shelving books, checking out materials, and assisting patrons, but they are subject to supervision and direction from librarians and administrators. Their contributions to the functioning of the library are essential, yet their status within the organization remains subordinate to those with higher levels of education and professional standing.
Who is Max Weber?
Inequality in the library workplace, as viewed through Weber's lens, is shaped not only by economic factors but also by social status, power dynamics, and organizational structure.
Students who attend an arts program at a private school are more likely to receive glowing reference letters and admission into elite art school programs, despite the students in the neighbouring public school having just as much, and often more, talent.
Who is Melvin Tumin?
Tumin's critique of inequality highlights the systemic barriers that keep able individuals from success despite their talent and capabilities.
A rookie and top scorer for the MTL Canadiens generates immense profits for his team owners in jersey sales, sponsorship deals, and television networks. The athlete, despite being the primary source of revenue for the team, has limited control over his own labor and is subject to exploitation by those who profit from his talent.
Who is Karl Marx?
The capitalist structure of the sports industry creates and perpetuates inequality, with power and wealth concentrated in the hands of team owners and executives at the expense of the athletes whose labor generates profits.
At the bottom of the hierarchy at Hutch's ice cream shop are seasonal or temporary workers, such as summer hires or part-time employees, who may have limited opportunities for advancement or recognition within the ice cream shop. These workers may be hired to meet peak demand during busy seasons but may lack job security or benefits compared to their full-time counterparts.
Who are Kingsley and Moore?
Inequality in the ice cream shop serves functional purposes by recognizing and rewarding individuals' expertise, experience, and contributions to the success of the business. Hierarchical structures and role differentiation ensure the efficient allocation of responsibilities and resources, contributing to the overall stability and profitability of the ice cream shop.
On real estate show Selling the OC, Ali was the only employee available to facilitate an open house because she is new and does not yet have a busy schedule. Despite securing a buyer for the listing, she will receive none of the commission because she is not a licensed agent. The property would not have sold without her help.
Who are Davis and Moore?
From the perspective of Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore, inequality in the real estate office served a functional purpose as it ensured someone was available while the other realtors were busy. Had she been in the same caliber, Ali would not have been able to fit the open house into her schedule and the property would not have sold.
At art club, Timmy isn't the most talented painter, but with daddy's money he purchased a high end set of paint brushes that even some of the teacher have never had the chance to use. Timmy's work is always featured in the display case.
Who is Karl Marx?
The capitalist education system reinforces socioeconomic inequalities and perpetuates class divisions, privileging those with wealth and access while marginalizing those without.
At a basketball tournament, one team shows up with brand new uniforms, matching hair scrunchies and friendship bracelets, and have multiple team cheers they use for specific game scenarios. Over the weekend they become very well known by all the other teams in the tournament, and end up winning against a team who's uniforms and plays are typical of an average basketball team, despite being formerly undefeated.
Who is Max Weber?
Weber's critique of this scenario would highlight the ways in which social status, symbols, and organizational structures intersect to shape outcomes and reinforce inequality within competitive settings.
A Taylor Swift fan of 18 years was unable to get tickets to the Eras tour in Toronto because he didn't win the Ticketmaster lottery system. He worked for months to afford a lower bowl ticket, priced at $300, so he is unable to afford resale tickets as they are upwards of $1300. His friend (who only knows the words to Bad Blood and Shake it Off) gets to go for free because their dad's company owns a box in Rogers Stadium. This friend had an extra ticket and sold it online for $2000.
Who is Melvin Tumin?
The more deserving fan is unable to attend the show because of socioeconomic barriers, despite putting in great effort to save for a ticket months in advance.
An individual is hired as an administrative assistant at a paper company. After a year of working there, they apply to move up within the company into a client-facing office manager role. Because their previous and only job was as a custodial care member at a theme park for 8 years, the hiring manager perceives them as not having the collaborative or social skills required for the role, and rejects the application. Meanwhile, the majority of their custodial role was in fact public facing, and offered many transferable skills for the office manager role.
Who is George Mead?
Mead's analysis would highlight the importance of considering how social interactions and perceptions shape individuals' self-concepts and opportunities for advancement within organizations. It emphasizes the need for employers to recognize and value the diverse skills and experiences that individuals bring to the table, regardless of their previous job titles or industry backgrounds.
A girl goes through high school assuming that because she wasn't accepted by the most popular group in school in grade nine, she is "uncool" and therefore avoids going for sports teams, student council positions, and even talking to certain people, as she believes no one knows her or cares to. Years later, she comes to realize that most people did know her name and thought highly of her - she could have pursued more if the social cues of herself or her peers reflected this.
Who is George Mead?
This scenario illustrates how individuals' self-concepts are influenced by social interactions and interpretations of those interactions.
A girl on her school's flag football team has no prior experience and volunteered to play offence. Her lack of knowledge makes her unsure of where she needs to be and she freezes up on the field often and eventually takes the position of left bench. After a few games, she realizes she would be better suited for defence - despite her inability to strategize quickly, she runs track and is quick. Running after opponents would be a breeze for her. After shyly asking, the coach denies her request to switch over to defence based on her previous performance.
Who is George Mead?
The girl understood that people perceived her as inexperienced, and her nerves hindered her performance. Her coach perceived her as untalented because of her performance, which hindered the team's chance at stronger defence. Perceived talent (or lack thereof) defined the player's role within the team's hierarchy.
At the forefront of Snooty's on karaoke sunday are a group of fourth year girls who command attention and admiration from others, and have been regulars since first year. They have become accustomed to receiving special treatment from bar staff and fellow patrons. They're given the seat closest to the fireplace (their usual spot), receiving expedited service, and get bumped to the front of the queue when they request a song. Their presence at the karaoke bar elevates the atmosphere and adds to the allure of the establishment, attracting attention and admiration from other patrons.
Who is Max Weber?
This scenario illustrates how inequalities based on status, prestige, and social connections can manifest within the seemingly egalitarian social space of a karaoke bar, reflecting Max Weber's perspective on social stratification and power dynamics within society - pretty privilege !
At the bottom of the hierarchy at a graphic design firm are unpaid interns or entry-level designers who may lack opportunities for advancement or recognition within the firm. These individuals may be tasked with repetitive or menial tasks, such as file organization, basic layout work, or administrative duties, without access to meaningful learning experiences or professional development opportunities, and struggle to find new work.
Who is Melvin Tumin?
Their lack of opportunity for new work or upward movement has less to do with their ability and more to do with the barriers in their work environment.
Supply teachers, LTO teachers, and other temporary staff may face limited to no health benefits, lack of job security, unstable/inconsistent income, and uncertainty about their future within the school board.
Who are Kingsley and Moore?
Inequality in a school board serves functional purposes.
An individual misses their tryout for a AAA hockey team because their single-parent mother got called in for an extra shift at work - had she declined, they would give her less hours, which she cannot afford to lose. The position on the team went to a less talented player.
Who is Melvin Tumin?
His ability is not what kept him from achieving a higher level of athleticism, but rather a socioeconomic barrier.
A mixed race individual struggles to find acceptance among their white peers and peers of colour.
Who is George Mead?
Each group assume that because half of the individual's identity is different than their own, that there will be an inability to relate on a comfortable and candid level.