Sociology · Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 12 · Question 3

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The question as text

‘It is estimated that 27 million people alive today are living in slavery. This is more than at any other point in history. This number is greater than the total population stolen from Africa during the transatlantic slave trade. (Bale 2009)’ Adapted from Macionis and Plummer, Sociology – A Global Introduction.

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3(a)[2]
What is meant by the term ‘slavery’? [2]
A stratification system where one group is the legal property of another. One mark for partial definition, e.g. where you are not free Two marks for clear definition, e.g. where one person is the property of another.
3(b)[4]
Describe two examples of social inequality, apart from slavery. [4]
Candidates will be expected to identify and describe two from the following:
Inequalities based on social class, caste, apartheid, feudal system, estate
Inequality based on gender
Inequality based on ethnicity
Inequalities based on age
Inequality of wealth
Inequality of access to health care
Inequality resulting from discrimination, e.g. on the grounds of disability
Unequal access to power
Any other reasonable response. One mark for each example identified (up to maximum of two), e.g. gender. One mark for each description (up to a maximum of two), e.g. women may face inequalities in pay because of gender discrimination in the work place.
3(c)[6]
Explain how minority ethnic groups can experience inequality. [6]
Candidates need to demonstrate an understanding of the many ways in which ethnic groups can experience inequality. Possible answers:
Inequality in education
Inequality in health care
Inequality in employment
Inequality in housing
Unequal access to justice
Racism/discrimination
Ostracism
Segregation and apartheid
Unequal access to power
Any other reasonable response. Band 0 No creditworthy response. Band 1 (1–3) Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of the concept of the inequalities minority ethnic groups might face. Responses may be short and undeveloped. At the top of the band, there may be a tendency towards simplistic answers, engaging with sociological ideas without using sociological language. Alternatively, candidates may offer a wider range of weak points. Answers may be placed broadly within the concept of inequality in general, e.g. minority groups are poor while the majority are rich. Band 2 (4–6) A clear and accurate explanation showing good sociological knowledge and understanding of the inequalities faced by minority ethnic groups which is supported by relevant examples. Sociological terms should be expected. At the top of the band candidates will use sociological terms and concepts, referring to a range of factors. Candidates will address the nature of the inequalities faced.
3(d)[8]
Explain why poverty still exists today. [8]
Candidates may approach this question from a number of angles they may look at poverty within a single society or take a global approach either angle is acceptable. They may also approach the question from the angle of definitions of poverty, i.e. whether or not it exists depends on how you define it. Possible answers:
Globalisation, poverty resulting from exploitation by multi-nationals/wealthier nations
Lack of aid from wealthier nations
Government corruption
Inadequate benefits
Benefits and poverty trap
Cycle of deprivation
New right perspective–poor are lazy
Resulting from war or civil unrest
Over population
Marxist theory, i.e. exploitation by bourgoeise
Feminist theory
Underdevelopment
Migration-push or pull factors
As a result of natural disasters, e.g. famine or flood
Discrimination
Bonded labour
Relative poverty vs absolute
Any other reasonable response. Band 0 No creditworthy response. Band 1 (1–3) Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of factors that may lead to poverty. Responses may be short and undeveloped. Sociological terms and concepts are unlikely to be used. At the bottom of the band, expect one weak point. At the top of the band, candidates may offer more than one weak point. Band 2 (4–6) 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, e.g. poverty still exists because the rich owners do not pay enough wages to the poor. At the top of 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. Band 3 (7–8) Answers in this band will show good sociological knowledge and understanding of why poverty still exists. Sociological terms and concepts will be used accurately. Answers will be well focused on the question and there will be a range of reasons presented. At the top of the band explanations will be clear throughout.
3(e)[15]
To what extent does social mobility exist in all societies? [15]
Candidates need to show an awareness that even some so called closed ‘systems’ offer some chances of mobility whilst at the same time open societies may offer little mobility. Arguments for:
Even closed systems offer some opportunities, e.g. slaves can be set free, peasants can be ennobled.
Wealth tends to enabled mobility in most systems, e.g. winning lottery
Meritocracy allows for mobility for those who have talent and work hard.
Evidence of success of self-made man/women
Embourgoisement thesis as evidence of upward mobility
Proletarianisation thesis as evidence of downward mobility
Equal opportunity/equality legislation
Equality of access to education allowing for social mobility based on merit
Any other reasonable response. Arguments against:
Caste and apartheid systems almost completely closed
Social closure in open societies
Elite self-recruitment
Old boys network
Patriarchy
Evidence of limited mobility, e.g. women and ethnic groups
Any other reasonable response. Band 0 No creditworthy response. Band 1 (1–4) Answers in this band may be vague and largely based on common sense showing limited knowledge of the debate. Responses may be short, undeveloped and one-sided, e.g. people who work hard at school will get good qualifications and get to the top. At the bottom of the band, use of sociological terms or concepts is very unlikely. At the top of the band, candidates may understand that some societies/systems are more open than others, e.g. in the caste system there was no mobility. Band 2 (5–8) 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 address the issues raised by the question. There may be limited use of sociological terms or concepts. Responses may be underdeveloped and lack range. Answers may be simplistic and two-sided responses are unlikely. At the top of the band, candidates may describe examples of social mobility, e.g. in the estate system there was the possibility of mobility a peasant could marry a prince and move up in the society. A one-sided answer cannot score higher than 8 marks. Band 3 (9–12) 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 question and there will be a range of points presented. There will be a two-sided response but this may be unbalanced. At the bottom of the band, candidates may provide a narrower range of points. At the top of the band, expect a wider range of points and clear focus on the question, e.g. a man from a working class family might make it to the top with hard work but, despite equality legislation, women still meet the glass ceiling in the work place and few make it to C.E.O level. Band 4 (13–15) Answers in this band will show an excellent knowledge and understanding of the debate. There will be a strong grasp of the argument 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 balanced. At the bottom of the band, some attempt at a conclusion will be made. At the top of 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, e.g. most societies offers some opportunity for mobility for the most able and talented but even in so called open systems there may be obstacles to mobility like unequal opportunity. Even in open societies the children of the poor are much less likely to reach the top.

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