Social Inequalities Throughout Society

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Social Inequalities throughout Society Every single person in the world is unique. However, some people are more similar than others. There are many theories on how to distinguish the differences between these groups of people, however, in my opinion Max Weber’s theory of social inequality is the most accurate. In every part of the world there is a social inequality. This is portrayed well in the novel, Great Expectations written by Charles Dickens and in the film Gangs of New York directed by Martin Scorsese. Both of these works have very apparent levels of inequalities in two very different communities at approximately the same time in history. Social inequality engulfs most aspects of nearly all societies. According to max Weber, power is broken down into three sub categories: Class, status honor, and parties. He believes class is established through available life chances as well as the ownership of property and production. There are many qualities to consider when establishing status honor including: wealth, income, education, gender, ethnicity, age, and family lineage. A person lacks social honor if he is lacking any of these qualities or takes part in anything that is considered socially deviant or illegal. Lastly, political parties maintain a constant presence among the different social classes. Politics completely consumes many people in their constant struggle to acquire as much power as possible. Weber incorporates many factors in his definition of social inequalities. In Great Expectations the reader watches the protagonist, Pip, move through different social classes. He begins the story as an orphan who is taken care of by his poor abusive older sister. Pip and his family are lacking in wealth and income. He isn’t provided a very good education and his family lineage isn’t impressive. These factors are what make Pip of a low
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