Short answer quiz - Assignment Example

Social in the United s Question In the United s, the standard of living is based mostly on factors ranging from income, employment, class, poverty rates and the affordability of housing. I am from an upper middle class family and my social class does not make major decisions pertaining political power in the nation. Just like wealth, power is concentrated in the hands of the few (Mackinnon, 2010). Despite the constitutional power of voting during the general elections, the major decision of which political party wins and who will become the president is entirely on the hands of those in the upper class.

Question 2.Global stratification is the unequal distribution of resources among nations. Both economic inequality as well as social inequality may lead to concentrated poverty along certain portions of the earth’s populations. People’s socio- economic statuses are mostly influenced by their income, wealth, level of education among other factors. Stratification may also be experienced in peoples Race and gender in that in certain social classes, women are less likely to be promoted in their work places.

Also, some American cities are heavily racially segregated and so individuals from racial minorities do not have access to high standards of living as compared to their white counterparts. This has greatly influenced the political choices of the American people because those in the upper class have the resources and they basically determine which political party wins elections (Mackinnon, 2010).Question 3.There is a declining social mobility in the United States which has led to widening economic and social inequality.

Income inequality among people of different classes in the United States has become more permanent and it seems that this situation will not change soon. Chances of children inheriting and maintaining intergenerational poverty or riches are very high. This is because the American society has become less socially mobile and there are widening gaps between the rich and the poor. Currently, the social mobility in the United States is hindering many people from attaining the American dream because there is no smooth way up the economic ladder.

Question 4.The Horatio Alger myth is a classic story of the American success story, The American dream. Alger’s writings were characteristic of the rags to riches narrative, where the person struggles through poverty and adversity to gain both wealth and honor. The boy comes from a humble background, rising to the middle class through sheer hard work, determination, courage and honesty. Strengths1. The myth encourages hard work mostly to those in the lower class and giving them a hope that one day they will realize their dreams.2. The myth shows that no societal class is permanent given the way the boy raises from the lower class to the middle class.

Weaknesses1. To people in the lower and middle class categories, it is hard to realize the American dream of a good house, successful career and a society with few or no barriers.2. Alger did not take into consideration the fact that people from the upper class do not have to go through all the hardships in attaining their dreams as compared to the struggles their counterparts in the lower classes go through. ReferenceMackinnon, A. 2010. Elective Affinities of the Protestant Ethic. Weber and the Chemistry of Capitalism.

Sociological Theory. 28 (1): 108- 126.