SOCIAL INEQUALITY

Social Inequality

Social Inequality

Introduction

Ever since mankind began to meditate on the social conditions in which they lived, the question of equality has occupied a prominent place in their thoughts. Wherever the activities of social life bring people in contact with one another the question of precedence or equality will arise.

One cannot ask what the source of natural inequality is because the answer is expressed by the very definition of the word. Still less can one enquire whether there is not some essential connection between the two kinds of inequality, for that would be to ask, in other words, whether those who command are necessarily worthier than those who obey, and whether bodily or intellectual vigor, wisdom, and virtue are always to be found in individuals in proportion to their power or wealth--possibly a good question to raise among slaves in the hearing of their masters, but one not applicable to free and reasonable men in search of the truth. I strongly disagree with Beteille, who considers the notion of social inequality as a natural myth.

Critical Discussion

While the natural dissimilarities of individuals must not be entirely overlooked by us, it is not with that aspect of inequality, on the other hand, that sociology is directly concerned. In matters of inequality its interests in the first place refer to the differences separating human beings as regards their position in society (Beteille, 1981, 62).

Horizontal Inequality

It is true that, in a certain measure, individual and social differences go together. In every society a man's social status is more or less influenced by his personal qualifications. People hold an individual of superior ability in higher esteems than others, and value his opinion, whereas the worthless is looked down upon. From the sociological point of view such an individual inequality appears in every respect natural, and consequently unavoidable. We may safely venture the assertion that no human society has ever existed or will ever exist where the social standing and influence of the different individuals does not vary according to their personal merits or demerits.

Social Status and Inequality

The earliest form of inequality is the variation of social status depending on different personal endowments. Such individual dissimilarities naturally do not form any social classes, and it is only in conjunction with certain economic and industrial factors that they co-operate in building up classes. But they are a deviation from the fundamental social parity, they imply their ...