3.2: Reducing Social Inequality Notes:

LEGISLATION TO REDUCE INEQUALITY:

Progressive taxation:

Higher earners pay a larger percentage of income tax.

Redistributes wealth, reduces income gap.

Redistribution of wealth through benefits:

• Welfare payments (child benefit, unemployment support, disability allowance).

• Provides safety net for vulnerable groups.

Minimum wage:

• Legal floor for wages to prevent exploitation.

• Improves living standards for low‑income workers.

Equal opportunities laws:

• Anti‑discrimination legislation (gender, ethnicity, disability).

• Promotes fairness in employment, education, housing.

Other government measures:

• Subsidized housing (making housing affordable for low income families and individuals) , free school meals, healthcare reforms.

• Aim to reduce structural inequalities.

WELFARE STATES AND LIFE CHANCES

• Free/universal education: equal access, improves opportunities, reduces class inequality.

• Unemployment benefits: financial support during job loss, prevents poverty.

• Pensions: income in old age, reduces inequality among elderly.

• Low‑cost housing: affordable homes for disadvantaged groups, reduces homelessness.

• Free healthcare: equal access regardless of income, improves health outcomes.

• Universal basic income (UBI): guaranteed income for all, reduces poverty/insecurity.

• Impact: welfare states improve life chances (health, education, housing, income), but effectiveness varies by country and funding.

GLOBAL WORK OF NGOs

• They are non-government organizations aiming to reduce inequality. They do that by:

  • Reducing poverty: aid projects, food distribution, microfinance.

  • Providing medical assistance: vaccinations, emergency relief, hospitals in developing regions.

  • Promoting business: training, micro‑loans, sustainable development projects.

  • Improving education: building schools, literacy programmes, scholarships.

• Role: NGOs supplement government action, especially in poorer countries, but face funding and dependency challenges.

SOCIOLOGICAL VIEWS ON SUCCESS:

New Right Criticisms

• The New Right is a right‑wing view that says people should rely on themselves, not welfare, and society should follow traditional family and moral values. Criticisms include:

  • Welfare state creates dependency and an underclass.

  • Encourages reliance on benefits instead of work.

Culture of Poverty / Dependency Culture

• Poverty becomes self‑perpetuating.

• Welfare may reinforce dependency rather than solve inequality.

• Children grow up adopting same values, continuing cycle.

Marxist Criticisms

• Welfare state maintains capitalism.

• Provides minimal support to prevent revolt but doesn’t remove exploitation.

• Inequality remains because wealth stays with ruling class.

Criticisms of NGOs

• May impose Western values and priorities.

• Short‑term aid instead of long‑term solutions.

• Can reinforce dependency on external help.

• Sometimes lack accountability or transparency.

Feminist Criticisms

• Equality legislation often fails in practice.

• Gender pay gap, glass ceiling, and stereotypes persist.

• Welfare policies may ignore women’s unpaid domestic labor.

• Laws may exist but enforcement is weak.

NOTES DONE BY FARIDA SABET

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