SOSC 103D Social Inequality in HK Lecture 17: Education

L17: Conceptions of Equality Inequality of Distribution (e.g. income and wealth inequality) Equality of Distribution/ Outcome: –Every person should have the same level of material goods and services –Every person should be treated equally regardless of ability and effort  Inequality of Distribution  Inevitable  Inequality of Distribution  Injustice

L17: Conceptions of Equality Inequality is acceptable if the structure of inequality is ‘open’ Equality of Opportunity: –Every person should have the same chance to access all social positions (attached with according rewards) –The government of universalistic criteria (on the basis of merit)

L17: Role of Education Maintain a fair and open stratification system Meritocracy: the central mechanism of occupational recruitment 1. Ensure the close association between individual merit and achievement 2. Allocation of social positions according to one’s educational achievement

L17: E.g. Hong Kong Correlations between educational achievement and occupational attainment: –Examination-oriented –Degree-oriented –Importance of credentials in getting and keeping high status occupations Correlations between merit and achievement:

L17: Merit Superior quality or worth; excellence (e.g. intelligence) A quality deserving praise or approval (e.g. effort) 2 modes of mobility system (norms)  Sponsored mode (England)  Contest mode (American)

L17: Sponsored vs Contest mode Remarks: –Ideal type of norms –Advantageous and disadvantageous Importance: –Qualifications of Elite in our society –Mission of education –Educational policies