Friday, March 19, 1999
Announcements:

• 2^nd exam is Wednesday, March 31, 1999

1. Functionalist Perspective on Racial and Ethnic Stratification

1. Dysfunctions – reduces consensus (consensus of values holds society together) and increases conflict. Threatens the stability of society; drains economic resources. Example: Riot at PSU cost a lot of money.
2. Functions – why racial and ethnic stratification is good for society

1. Group formation, cohesion, and consciousness. Example: St. Patrick’s Day. Ethnic members are proud of their heritage. Provides as a means of identification; group cohesion is good for the stability of society.
2. Conflict as a safety valve – releases hostile and aggressive impulses, which is good for society.
3. Good for Democracy – Each ethnic group acts as a check and balance to the other ethnic groups so governmental decisions are fair.

1. Interactionist Perspective of Racial and Ethnic Stratification

1. Product of interaction and meanings – ethnic groups are social products. Example: Irish people attach a special meaning.
2. Social Construction – ethnic groups are created by a consensus of meanings.
3. Result of Limited Communication – ethnicity is a result of limited communication between two ethnic groups. When there is easy communication between two people, ethnicity is reduced.

1. Conflict Theory

1. Three Major Reasons for Racism

1. Ethnocentrism
2. Economic Competition
3. Unequal Power

1. Racial Prejudice and its benefits for Capitalists

1. Colonization – Capitalists wanted to increase their wealth. They believed Indians and Africans were innately inferior. Slavery and colonization were the basis of capitalism – they helped increase the wealth of the western European nations.
2. Profitable – Ideology of prejudice justifies Capitalists paying lower wages to minorities
3. Divide and Rule – Capitalists divided countries and industries into racial groups so they remain divided and don’t unite against the capitalists.
4. Industrial Reserve Army – Capitalists treat minority workers poorly – lay them off during economic recession, rehire them during economic boom, so they won’t destabilize the Majority’s jobs.
5. Split-Labor Market Theory – High paid workers (the Majority) and low paid workers (Minorities) fight against one another. Majority feels competition when the Minorities sell labor at a cheap price. Creates disharmony in the work place – Majority feels Minorities are a threat.