People under the class structure who are economically, politically and socially marginalised and excluded comprise the
Understanding Social Class and Marginalization
The question asks about a specific group within the class structure that experiences significant marginalization and exclusion in economic, political, and social aspects. Let's break down what these terms mean in this context.
- Economically Marginalised: This means having very limited income, unstable employment, or being completely unemployed, leading to difficulty meeting basic needs.
- Politically Marginalised: This refers to having little to no influence in political processes, lacking representation, and often facing discrimination within institutions.
- Socially Marginalised: This involves being excluded from mainstream social activities, networks, and opportunities, often due to stigma, discrimination, or lack of resources.
- Excluded: This implies being shut out or denied access to resources, services, and opportunities that are available to the majority of society.
Analyzing the Options for Class Structure
We need to find the term that best describes people facing this combined state of extreme marginalization and exclusion within a class structure.
- Economic class: This is a broad term simply referring to a group of people who share a similar economic position (income, wealth, occupation). While the group in question is defined by their economic situation, "economic class" itself doesn't inherently imply marginalization or exclusion. There are various economic classes, including middle and upper classes, who are not marginalized.
- Oppressed class: This term typically refers to a group that is subjected to unjust hardship, exploitation, or control by a dominant group. While marginalized people are often oppressed, the term "oppressed class" focuses more on the power dynamic and subjugation. It might not always specifically denote the very lowest stratum facing complete exclusion.
- Underclass: This term is often used in sociology to describe a stratum of society that is permanently excluded from the mainstream economy and social life. Members of the underclass often face persistent poverty, unemployment, and social isolation across generations. They are considered to be at the very bottom of the social hierarchy, experiencing severe economic, political, and social marginalization and exclusion.
Identifying the Correct Term
Based on the definitions, the term that most accurately describes people who are economically, politically, and socially marginalised and excluded within a class structure is the "Underclass". This term specifically highlights the severe and often persistent nature of their disadvantage and detachment from mainstream society.
| Term | Description | Fits Question? |
|---|---|---|
| Economic class | Group based on economic position (income, wealth). | Too broad; doesn't imply marginalization. |
| Oppressed class | Group subjected to unjust power/control. | Implies power dynamic; not exclusively about bottom-most exclusion. |
| Underclass | Stratum permanently excluded from mainstream economy/society; severe marginalization. | Yes; matches description of economic, political, social marginalization and exclusion. |
Therefore, people under the class structure who are economically, politically and socially marginalised and excluded comprise the Underclass.
Revision Table: Understanding Social Stratification Terms
| Concept | Key Characteristics | Relation to Question |
|---|---|---|
| Social Class | Groups based on socioeconomic status (income, occupation, education). | The context within which marginalization occurs. |
| Marginalization | Being pushed to the edge of society, lacking access to resources and opportunities. | A core part of the question's description. |
| Exclusion | Being shut out from participation in social, economic, or political life. | Another core part of the question's description. |
| Underclass | Lowest stratum, facing severe, persistent economic, political, and social marginalization and exclusion. | The specific term that fits the description in the question. |
Additional Information on Social Exclusion and the Underclass
The concept of the underclass is debated in sociology, but it is used to highlight the concentration of disadvantages faced by certain groups. This concentration can make it very difficult for individuals to escape their situation, leading to intergenerational poverty and exclusion.
Social exclusion is a broader concept than just poverty. It includes not just a lack of income but also deprivation across multiple dimensions such as:
- Lack of access to education and training
- Poor health outcomes
- Limited housing options
- Lack of social networks and support
- Lack of participation in civic and political life
Understanding the underclass and social exclusion is crucial for developing policies aimed at promoting social inclusion and reducing inequality.
Important Questions from Basic Sociology - Teaching
Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R)
Assertion (A): Sociologists usually distinguish between absolute and relative poverty.
Reason (R): In developed countries, with established welfare systems, absolute poverty is rare.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Production characterised by large number of standardised products made by highly specialised workers is known as
______ is the channelling of an increasing number of women into low-status, poorly paid manual work.
Who has classified political institutions into republic, aristocracy, monarchy and autocracy?
Match List - I with List - II
List - I List - II (Principles) (Meaning) A. Phenomenalism I. Knowledge is arrived at through the gathering of facts that provide the basis for laws B. Deductivism II. Asserts that social phenomena and their meanings are continually being accomplished by social actors C. Inductivism III. The purpose of theory is to generate a hypothesis that can be tested D. Constructionism IV. Only phenomena and hence knowledge confirmed by the senses can be warranted as knowledge Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
