Economic Inequality Terms

noun the state or condition of being a beggar; extreme poverty or need

• The government implemented programs to address the issue of beggary in the city.
• He resorted to beggary after losing his job.
• Beggary is not a sustainable way to make a living.
• The company's financial situation was on the brink of beggary before they secured a new investor.

noun a person who believes that they are superior to others due to their intellect, wealth, or talent

adjective relating to or characteristic of a select group of people considered to be superior in intelligence, wealth, or talent

• The elitist members of society often look down upon those they deem inferior.
• She always acts so elitist, thinking she's better than everyone else.
• That guy is such an elitist snob, always bragging about his expensive possessions.
• The elitist attitude of the group created a barrier between them and the rest of the community.

noun a state of extreme poverty or destitution

• The charity organization aims to alleviate the indigence of homeless families in the community.
• Many people in the neighborhood are struggling with indigence and need help.
• It's tough out there for those facing indigence, they need our support.
• The barren land symbolized the indigence of resources in the region.

noun a group of people in a society who hold power and authority over others, typically based on wealth, social status, or political influence

• The ruling class in ancient Rome consisted of wealthy patricians who held political power.
• The ruling class always gets the best seats at the theater.
• Those rich snobs are part of the ruling class.
• In the world of fashion, designers are considered the ruling class.

noun a period of decline in social and economic activity within a community or society

• The ongoing pandemic has led to a social recession, with many people experiencing isolation and loneliness.
• I feel like we're in a social recession since we can't hang out with friends like we used to.
• The social scene is totally in a recession right now, everyone's staying home.
• His lack of social skills has caused a personal social recession, as he struggles to connect with others.

noun the transmission of social values, norms, and practices within a society

• Social reproduction refers to the processes by which society perpetuates itself through the transmission of cultural norms and values from one generation to the next.
• Social reproduction is basically how we pass on our beliefs and traditions to our kids.
• Social reproduction is like society's way of keeping things going from one generation to the next.
• Just like how genes are passed down from parent to child, social reproduction ensures that societal norms and values are inherited by future generations.