Sociology · May / June 2020 · Paper 12 · Question 3

0495

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Karl Marx argued that society was divided into two main social classes: the bourgeoisie (the upper class) and the proletariat (the working class). Class stratification and status in modern industrial 3 societies are changing and new classes have been formed, such as the underclass. Some sociologists argue there is now a growing middle class while others suggest proletarianisation is leading to a growing working class.

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3(a)[2]
What is meant by the term ‘underclass’? One mark for partial definition e.g. Poor and lazy people Two marks for clear definition e.g. A group below the working class that is effectively cut off from the rest of society.
3(b)[4]
Describe two examples of ascribed status. Possible answers:
being born male or female – status is ascribed according to one’s sex at birth;
royal status – people are born or marry into royalty and do not achieve this status;
sister/brother – the birth of a sibling is beyond the individual’s control;
age related statuses – though these change throughout one’s life age related status is not achieved;
ethnic related statuses – being a ethnic minority or majority is an ascribed status largely beyond the control of the individual;
any other reasonable response One mark for each example of ascribed status identified (up to maximum of two). One mark for each description (up to a maximum of two).
3(c)[6]
Explain how the underclass is different from other social classes. Possible answers:
cultural differences – the underclass have a way of life characterised by a dependency culture;
different lifestyle choices – these can lead to social exclusion resulting in unemployment;
different attitudes to work and achievement – underclass are characterised by fatalism and despair;
higher crime rates – the underclass may turn to crime as they have more blocked opportunities than the middle class;
different attitude to education – leads to limited life chances in later life;
higher proportion of teen pregnancies and single parent households – these positions are often associated with a dependency on state benefits;
material deprivation – the underclass have less money and access to goods than the middle class;
poverty trap – the underclass are more likely to be stuck in the poverty trap because of their attitudes to work and education;
ethnic differences – in the USA the underclass are associated with ethnic minority groups;
any other reasonable response. Band 0 [0 marks] No creditworthy response. Band 1 [1–3 marks] Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of the question. Responses may be short and un/underdeveloped. At the bottom of the band (1 mark), expect one weak point. Higher in the band (2–3 marks), candidates may offer more than one weak point, but there may be a tendency towards simplistic answers, engaging with sociological ideas without using sociological language. Band 2 [4–6 marks] Answers in this band will have clear and accurate explanation, showing good sociological knowledge and understanding. Sociological terms and concepts should be expected and explained. At the bottom of the band, the range of points covered may be narrow or lack detail. Higher in the band, answers will cover more than one point in a well-developed way or cover several points in less detail.
3(d)[8]
Explain why some sociologists believe that proletarianisation has occurred in modern industrial societies. Proletarianisation – the theory that the lower levels of the middle class are becoming working class. Possible responses:
many of the tasks done by middle-class workers were being de-skilled (Braverman) due to mechanisation and automation;
conditions of employment have changed in many jobs that were middle- class – there is now less job security and benefits such as sick leave;
wages and bonuses have decreased in jobs that were middle-class so incomes have fallen to proletariat levels
less autonomy in middle-class jobs as power has moved to management so the old middle class have a similar status at work to the traditional working class;
workers in proletarianised jobs are starting to think of themselves as working class, for example, by joining a trade union;
according to Marx as wealth is concentrated in fewer hands an increasing number of the middle class are reduced to dependence on wage labour for income;
changes in the occupational structure have led to more people being reclassified as the new working class;
the distinctions between manual labour and non-manual labour are breaking down leading to a growing working class;
the introduction of new technologies into the service sector have meant less skills are needed for this type of employment – hence wages fall and what was once considered middle class employment is now seen as working class;
education levels have generally increased meaning more people are now skilled enough for clerical/service sector work so this has dropped in status;
any other reasonable response Band 0 [0 marks] No creditworthy response. Band 1 [1–3 marks] Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of the question. A tendency to description is likely. Responses may be short and undeveloped and points stated without explanation. Sociological terms and concepts are unlikely to be used. At the bottom of the band (1 mark), expect one weak point. Higher in the band (2–3 marks), candidates may offer more than one weak point. Band 2 [4–6 marks] Answers in this band will show basic sociological knowledge and understanding. Responses may be underdeveloped and lacking in range. At the bottom of the band, candidates are unlikely to use sociological terms and concepts accurately. Higher in the band, candidates may be beginning to use sociological terms and concepts with greater accuracy. However, some aspects of the answer may only be partially developed/explained Band 3 [7–8 marks] Answers in this band will show good sociological knowledge and understanding and will be well-developed and explained. Sociological terms and concepts will be used accurately overall. Answers will be well-focused on the question and there will be a range of points presented. At the top of the band explanations will be clear throughout.
3(e)[15]
To what extent are Marxist explanations of social inequality the most useful? Arguments for:
Marxists argue inequality is the inevitable outcome of capitalism, this is useful for economic explanations of inequality in most MIS;
Marxism offers a clear distinction of the conflict between two classes in society – the bourgeoisie exploit the labour of the proletariat to increase their profits;
Marxist explanations of the relationship between the proletariat who own nothing but their labour which they sell to the bourgeoisie for wages is true for many individuals in society;
Marxists offer useful explanations of the barriers to resistance faced by the proletariat who are oppressed in that they can’t exercise their dissatisfaction with their bosses for fear of being sacked;
Althusser theories of ideology help explain why the working class fail to gain equality, this is useful as it explains how the key institutions in society (ISAs) work together to prevent the working classes from rising up;
Marxism offers explanations of the ways in which the state tries to control our thoughts and legitimises the capitalist system, (the myth of meritocracy) through various ISAs such as religion, education , mass media and criminal justice
Marxist theories of education help explain the inequalities faced by the working class in terms of educational outcomes and class differences in educational attainment are clearly evident today;
Marxists refer to ‘the old boy’s network’ which see privileged elites helping people of their own class thus denying meritocratic opportunity, this theory is rooted in reality as examples of nepotism can be seen in most societies;
Marxist theories of material deprivation are useful for explaining the formation of sub-cultures, crime rates and differences in educational attainment;
any other reasonable response. Arguments against:
Marxism is one dimensional – tries to explain all inequality in terms of economic differences;
interactionist critique of structural approaches, such as Marxism, as being too deterministic, people are not just puppets but actors in their own lives;
functionalists argue society is meritocratic and that inequality is not a bad thing;
others argue capitalism has raised living standards for many so challenge Marxist’s critique of capitalism;
Marxist predictions of revolution have not materialised and so the theory is flawed;
feminists are likely to argue that gender is a more important explanation of inequality than class;
other sociologists argue ethnicity is a more important explanation of inequality than class;
any other reasonable response Band 0 [0 marks] No creditworthy response Band 1 [1–4 marks] Answers in this band may be vague and largely based on common sense showing limited knowledge of the debate. Use of sociological terms or concepts is very unlikely. Responses may be short, undeveloped and one- sided. Lower in the band (1–2 marks), expect one or two weak points. Higher in the band (3–4 marks) candidates may offer more than two points and provide a weak definition of key terms in the question. Band 2 [5–8 marks] In this band candidates will show some basic knowledge of the debate. Alternatively, they may offer an answer which is list-like in nature but there will be no real attempt to assess the issues raised by the question. There may be limited/some use of sociological terms or concepts. Responses may be underdeveloped and lack range. Answers may be simplistic and two- sided or only cover one side of the debate. Lower in the band, the response may be rather narrow in the points covered and there may be some development. Higher in the band, more points are likely to be covered with some development. Alternatively, a list-like answer with some development covering both sides of the argument may score up to 8 marks. A one-sided answer cannot score higher than 8 marks. Band 3 [9–12 marks] Answers in this band will show good sociological knowledge and understanding of the debate. Sociological terms and concepts will be used with greater accuracy and/or frequency. For the most part, answers will be well-developed, focused on the questions and there will be a range of points presented. There will be a two-sided response but it may lack range on one side. At the bottom of the band, candidates may provide a narrower range of developed points. At the top of the band, expect a wider range of developed points and clear focus on the question. Band 4 [13–15 marks] Answers in this band will show excellent knowledge and understanding of the debate. There will be a strong grasp of the arguments as well as accurate and frequent use of sociological terms and concepts. Answers will be well- developed, clearly focused on the question and discuss a wide range of points. Responses will be two-sided and have a range of points on each side. At the bottom of the band (13 marks), the answer may lack a specific conclusion. Higher in the band, there will be a clear attempt to offer an assessment of the ‘To what extent.?’ part of the question through a focused conclusion.

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