System Of Social Inequality Research Articles

Subjective well-being of Russians through the prism of their identities: state and factors

The article shows the prevalence of identities of Russians related to subjective well-being (identity with people of the same material wealth, with those who are in constant need and with those who have achieved success in life) based on the research data of the Institute of Sociology of FCTAS RAS. The analysis of these identities effectively complements the traditional methods of studying well-being by assessing it not “in the moment”, but over a long period of time, since the identities are formed over a long period of time and are stable. It is shown that these three symbolic identities allow to “capture” different components of subjective well-being. Self-identification with those in constant need reflects the disadvantage caused not only by low income and experienced deprivations, but also by the gap between a person's aspirations and actual achievements. Identity with those who have achieved success is closely related to overall satisfaction with life and with one's position in the status hierarchy, reflecting the achievement of goals that are important to the individual (not necessarily related to material well-being). Identity with people of the same material well-being is more common among the well-off population, as many of the disadvantaged try to find more favorable grounds for positioning themselves in society. As these identities reflect different aspects of subjective well-being, the coexistence of apparently mutually exclusive identities is typical of Russians. It is also shown that the self-identifications of representatives of the mass strata of the country's population based on their wellbeing occupy an important place in their identification system, and that the prevalence of these identities is stable over time, although they are no longer among the “nuclear” identities. They are relatively more pronounced among representatives of polar groups in terms of their place in the system of social inequality. At the same time, as a whole, they allow to define the position of a person in the system of social inequalities quite clearly.

Representations of culture, race and gender in English language textbooks

In order to investigate and understand the relations between different social groups participating in copious Anglophone settings, this paper sets out to present and discuss the findings of a quantitative analysis of culture, race and gender in nine English language textbooks for first-year secondary school students in Croatia. The first section of the paper offers a theoretical background of the three previously mentioned social phenomena in the light of the importance of English in modern education, frequently associated with various systems of social inequality. What follows are the results of the content analysis of sampled English language textbooks. The results of the study indicated significant differences regarding the representation of specific social groups as well as the intersections between gender and employment status. Thus, an inherent partisanship towards specific social groups was revealed, indicating a subliminal reproduction of social power through education. Such results align with numerous other studies on the topic, both in the Croatian and the foreign contexts.

Социальное неравенство в эпоху искусственного интеллекта: от цифрового к алгоритмическому разрыву

Статья посвящена анализу проблемы социального неравенства в эпоху алгоритмов, которые являются одним из элементов технологической инфраструктуры цифрового общества. Социологический интерес к алгоритмам объясняется их активным использованием в процессах коммуникации, принятия решений, управления, контроля и в конечном итоге их ролью в создании ландшафта искусственной социальной среды. Последствия внедрения алгоритмов находят отражение в разных сферах общественной жизни. Негативные эффекты алгоритмизации рассматриваются с точки зрения неравенства возможностей и социально значимых результатов. Скрытый характер воздействия алгоритмов, непрозрачность их работы, нелинейность, непредсказуемость в принятии решений, определяют их влияние на систему социального неравенства. В статье анализируются связанные с функционированием алгоритмов механизмы этого явления (системы социального ранжирования, пузыри фильтров, неравный доступ к алгоритмической осведомленности) и рассматриваются вопросы методологического характера, связанные с концептуализацией понятия «социальное неравенство» в эпоху алгоритмов.

Class Dimension of Social Inequality

In this article we look at some of the most influential theories of class, which try to explain class inequality in west and east European societies. Social stratification is considered as a system of social inequality, social differentiation, based on differences in the occupied position and functions performed. Social inequality is the basis of stratification of society and is perceived as its main feature. The theory of social stratification reveals the essence of social inequality in such factors as social status, social role and prestige of functionally describing the social structure.

Sociological theories of social inequality in the second part of 20<sup>th</sup> century. Constructivist perspective

The paper analyzes the transformation processes of the systems of social inequality in the second half of XX century societies. It also views the changes in sociological theories and their research methods brought about by these transformations.

Вклад Т.И. Заславской в развитие теории социальной структуры

The analysis of scientific contribution, given by T.I. Zaslavskaya into development of theory of social structure and sociological comprehension of structural mechanisms of changes in the Soviet and post-Soviet societies, is submitted. On the basis of the T. Zaslavskaya’s texts the essential ideas about social structure as a basic component of mechanism of social life are stated. The prospects for application of this scientific knowledge in sociological study of social phenomenon and processes are outlined. The theory of social structure, which was logically completed at the end of the 1990s, develops a complex relational approach to interpretation of structure as a system of relations between social groups as well as a system of social inequality. It is argued proximity of T. Zaslavskaya’s theoretical principles to the contemporary way of theoretical synthesis in Sociology which draws together the structural, agency, and cultural strategies in explanation of social life. It is resulted in analytical differentiation of three basic structural parameters which form a social relation network. These parameters are useful for sociological measurement of social structure. The epistemological value of the empirical “vertical” model of social structure is explored that allows the author to detect a deep conflict inside the social structure of the ‘late’ Soviet society as well as to find the main tendencies of structural transformation under the post-Socialism. It is paid attention to the special theoretical and practical value of the conceptual ideas about three levels of complexity of the qualitative societal changes developed by T. Zaslavskaya. These ideas are formed in line with the works on neo-institutional theory by D. Nort. The theory of social structure is been developed and realized by T.I. Zaslavskaya within the strong research program which included: the scaled theoretical and methodological elaboration aimed at explanation of the regularities of social development; application of the theoretical elaboration in empirical investigations; empirically-grounded findings which were proposed for political decision-making and public policy.

Universal Access to HIV Treatment in the Context of Vulnerability: Female Farm Workers in Zimbabwe

In this study we extend the theoretical and empirical debate on gender justice regarding universal access to antiretroviral therapy. In many circumstances, debates about human rights and HIV/AIDS are premised on the view that universal access to primary health care improves the multiple health burdens of those infected by the epidemic. We argue that ‘‘universal access’’ does not always benefit those in marginalized positions in society. Female farm workers living in rural, marginalized spaces at the intersection of systems of social inequality and oppression shape the way in which they experience access to antiretroviral drugs.

Allocation to Social Positions in Class

Using the approach of qualitative social network research, this article focuses on two ‘systems of social inequality’ on the basis of which learning is organized: one is the institutional and organizational framework structuring the encounters between teachers and students, the other is a system of social inequality incorporated at the level of emotions and affections. Both systems seem to be virtually inevitable and, due to the tacit nature of their workings in class interactions, escape attempts at deliberate control. The article demonstrates how the web of social relationships in the early grades acts to reinforce both systems of social inequality and how they mutually affect one another in the class setting. Two first grade classes were studied for this purpose using mixed methods. The findings clearly support these conclusions: in both classes under study, a configuration of relationships consisting of a range of distinct (student) positions has emerged, and all parties involved have a similar perception of this social configuration. These social positions, each of which offer different opportunities for learning, are reflected both in interactions (as evidenced by video analysis) and the students’ stories (as evidenced in interviews). Such stabilization processes determine student careers early on and render the class setting ‘porous’ as a space of learning.