Individuals in Contemporary Society - Essay Example

In this system that favors the majority, the only chance the minority has is to unite and form a more force that can champion for their cause. Their leaders may be those individuals from the minority who have succeeded by virtue of their social positions, administrative or otherwise, or by their educational prowess. Only under such circumstances can the minority compete favorably with the majority. The underclass in this category, for instance, those politically oppressed may join to form a revolution that may topple the ruling elite and put in place one of their own to serve as leader.

The matrix of domination has been described by sociologists as a theory that describes the specific forms of privileges and how they fit into the larger system. It states that when a person is privileged in one aspect he/she is likely to be privileged in another unrelated aspect. This social force has the ability to impact individual life chances For example when one is born as a white male he has a higher chance of earning more income than a man born black.The privileges are interconnected, that is one privilege is cannot stand on its own.

With one privilege, the chances of having another privilege are high. Also those oppressed according to the matrix of domination can be oppressors in another system. Life, therefore, can be determined by the matrix of domination. Matrix of domination depends on the nature and is spontaneous, for example, being born in a rich family.However, also the oppressed are in the matrix of domination. For example, if one misses a certain privilege then he or she chances of missing another is quite high.