Social Science · Economics

Social Inequality and Policy

5,627 Questions

Social Inequality and Policy addresses the causes and consequences of economic disparity and social mobility. Questions explore urbanization impacts, socioeconomic vulnerabilities, and policy recommendations. Understanding these themes is critical for mastering social science and economics papers.

Economic disparitySocial mobility conceptsUrbanization impactsPolicy recommendationsSocioeconomic vulnerabilities

Social Inequality and Policy Questions

Multiple choice

Why does the author say… ‘it is often difficult to achieve all of these goals simultaneously’?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question.

The principles of equity, equality, and need are most relevant in the context of distributive justice, but might play a role in a variety of social justice issues. These principles all appeal to the notion of just desserts, the idea that fair treatment is a matter of giving people what they deserve. In general, people deserve to be rewarded for their effort and productivity, punished for their transgressions, treated as equal persons, and have their basic needs met. However, because these principles may come into conflict, it is often difficult to achieve all of these goals simultaneously. According to the principle of equity, a fair economic system is one that distributes goods to individuals in proportion to their input. While input typically comes in the form of productivity, ability or talent might also play a role. People who produce more or better products...either by working harder, or by being more talented, this argument goes, should be paid more for their efforts than should people who produce less. Note that this sort of distribution may not succeed in meeting the needs of all members of society. In addition, the idea that justice requires the unequal treatment of unequals is in tension with the principle of equality. This principle of egalitarianism suggests that the fairest allocation is one that distributes benefits and burdens equally among all parties. If there are profits of $100,000, and 10 people in the company, the principle of equality would suggest that everyone would get $10,000. This principle, however, ignores differences in effort, talent, and productivity. Also, because people have different needs, an equal initial distribution may not result in an equal outcome.
A principle of need, on the other hand, proposes that we strive for an equal outcome in which all society or group members get what they need. Thus poor people would get more money, and richer people would get less. This principle is sometimes criticised because it does not recognise differences in productive contributions or distinguish between real needs and manifested needs.
Some have suggested that equity, equality, and need are not principles adopted for their own sake but rather ones endorsed to advance some social goal. For example, while equity tends to foster productivity, principles of equality and need tend to stress the importance of positive interpersonal relationships and a sense of belonging among society members.

  1. Because these goals cannot ever be achieved together

  2. Because they might come in conflict with one another

  3. Because we need a lot of resources to achieve these goals

  4. Because these goals are transient and cannot exist in reality
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

However, because these principles may come into conflict, it is often difficult to achieve all of these goals simultaneously.

Multiple choice

Directions: From the statements given below choose the one that answers the following question best. Does every social difference lead to social division?

  1. No, every social difference does not lead to social division because people belonging to different social groups share differences and similarities.

  2. Yes, every social difference leads to social division.

  3. There is a mixed reaction on the social division and individual identity.

  4. The statement itself is irrelevant.

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

No, every social difference does not lead to social division because people belonging to different social groups share differences and similarities. 

Multiple choice

Do only big countries have social divisions?

  1. Yes, only big countries have social divisions.

  2. There is a mixed reaction like it can be or it cannot be.

  3. No, not only big countries like ‘India’ have social division, but small countries like Belgium, Ireland, Sri Lanka also have social differences.

  4. All of these

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

No, not only big countries like ‘India’ have social division, but small countries like Belgium, Ireland, Sri Lanka also have social differences. 

Multiple choice

Directions: Each of the following questions has the second sentence missing. Choose the appropriate sentence from the given options to complete it.

  1. Family planning is still not a characteristic in many societies.

  2. The rural areas and villages have largely been excluded from the scope of the earlier family planning programmes.

  3. Family planning is important to check excessive population growth which can lead to developmental problems for a country.

  4. Responsible parenthood dictates that families be planned in line with various developmental objectives.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option 2 is correct here as the missing sentence should give information about ‘the regions hitherto left untouched’ and this is the case in option 2 with  ‘The rural areas and villages have largely been excluded’.

Multiple choice

Which statement best explains the changes in economic inequality from 1980 to 2000?

  1. The number of active union members increased.

  2. The number of two-income households increased.

  3. The number of high-wage manufacturing jobs decreased.

  4. The number part-time and temporary workers decreased.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The decline of high-wage manufacturing jobs, often due to globalization and automation, contributed significantly to the widening economic inequality gap between 1980 and 2000.

Multiple choice

The baby boom after World War II led directly to

  1. a decrease in spending for public education

  2. a return to a rural lifestyle

  3. an increased demand for housing

  4. a decrease in consumer spending
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The baby boom created a significant increase in the population, which directly led to a surge in demand for family housing, contributing to the suburban housing boom.

Multiple choice

During the Progressive Era, support for agraduated income tax was based primarily on the

  1. desire of corporations to reduce their taxes

  2. need to raise income from the lower classes

  3. belief that all people should be taxed thesame

  4. resentment over the unequal distribution ofwealth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Progressives advocated for a graduated income tax as a way to address the extreme wealth inequality of the Gilded Age. By taxing higher incomes at a higher rate, they hoped to create a more equitable distribution of the tax burden.

Multiple choice

The baby boom after WWII led directly to

  1. a decrease in spending for public education

  2. a return to a rural lifestyle

  3. an increased demand for housing

  4. a decrease in consumer spending
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The post-WWII baby boom led to a massive population increase, which created a surge in demand for family housing. This shift fueled the growth of suburbs and the construction industry.

Multiple choice

What was the reason for Johnson's Economic Opportunity Act of 1964?

  1. a high level of poverty

  2. failure to pass a minimum wage law

  3. widespread unemployment

  4. unequal pay for women
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was the centerpiece of President Lyndon B. Johnson's 'War on Poverty,' aimed at addressing the high levels of poverty in the United States.

Multiple choice

What effect did the Eisenhower Interstate System have on society in the 1950s and 60s?  

  1. It contributed to suburbanization.

  2. It slowed down the post-war baby boom

  3. It shifted the economy away from agriculture.

  4. It increased Americans' reliance on government aid.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, which created the Interstate System, facilitated the growth of suburbs by making it easier for people to commute from residential areas to city centers.

Multiple choice theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

Why people agreed to accept change in family trend?

  1. High expectations

  2. High income

  3. High education

  4. All of above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In old family trend people had less expectations. They were happy with all they have. But increase in expectations forced people to accept the change in family trend. Now days people have their own desire for which they do any thing. In old family trend things were different.

Multiple choice economics development of maharashtra - agriculture sector the economy of maharashtra economics

Which of the followings poor implementation resulted in agricultural problems?

  1. Land Reform

  2. Social Reform

  3. Constitutional Reform

  4. Religious Reform
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Indian peasantry had been exploited for a long time as there had been unequal distribution of land. Among the three revenue systems operational during British period i.e. Mahalwari, Ryotwari and Zamindari, the last one was most exploitative for the peasants. After independence, land reforms were accorded priority, but these reforms were not implemented effectively due to lack of strong political will. Most of the state governments avoided taking politically tough decisions which went against strong political lobbies of landlords. Lack of implementation of land reforms has resulted in continuation of inequitous distribution of cultivable land which is detrimental to agricultural development.