SOCS 325 – Environmental Sociology Final Exam Version 2 2021 With Correct Answers Highlighted.

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19. (TCO 10) American pedestrians and bicyclists are killed at times the rate of German pedestrians and cyclists. a. two b. three c. four d. five 20. (TCO 10) The basic idea to model new develo... pments on the kind of traditional neighborhoods that cities routinely turn into historic districts is called: a. New ruralism. b. Old rualism. c. Old urbanism. d. New urbanism. 21. (TCO 1) Over the past 7 to 8 weeks, how has your definition of environmental sociology changed? a. Over these past weeks, my view on environmental sociology has changed significantly. At first, I didn’t even really understand what it meant and now I know that there are a lot of factors and issues that affect the environment and society. I am glad that I had the opportunity to take this class because, I now know how to look at my environment and the society that I have around me and see a difference in how everything is interacting. 22. (TCO 2) Give a few examples of how capitalism has caused inequality in minority populations. a. Some examples of inequality in minority populations that have been caused from capitalism. One example is work incentive, if every worker received the same wage regardless of skill and effort, then no one would want to learn a new skill or work hard at their job. Another example is monopoly power, this allows companies to pay their workers at a lower wage regardless of how productive they are. The last example is inheritance, most people who get an inheritance get them from the previous generation. This gives them the ability to get a better education and a better job. All these examples usually pertain to the top percent of the wealthy. They are usually not a minority and have never really seen a hard day’s work. Capitalism causes inequality in every aspect of its definition and actions that it has. There are very few minorities that have these chances and if they do have them, they usually have worked really hard to get where they are. 23. (TCO 3) A number of social phenomenon discussed in this course vie as the leading cause of environmental problems: overconsumption of products, the problem of collective action, the Western ethos, population growth, social inequality, and uneven development, to name a few. Which do you feel is the most important, and why? Justify your answer sociologically, using detailed facts and figures from the course readings and any outside sources. Compare and contrast how these environmental problems impacts socioeconomic status and influences goods and bads. a. I feel that the overconsumption of products is the most important issue that we are facing today. That is because most everyone wants the newest and greatest item that is on the market. The treadmill of consumption that is discussed in the book is the best representation of this issue. Everyone is trying to keep up with the Joneses. They consume more and more just to try to keep up, when in all reality they are falling farther and farther behind. I know that I would like to be like the Joneses but know that I don’t have the means necessary to keep that lifestyle. For one, I don’t have the money to obtain all the items. And secondly, I don’t want to be like the Joneses. I am perfect the way I am, and I don’t need any item or possession to help me be better than someone else. 24. (TCO 4) What is the problem with utilitarianism and how does John Rawls' theory of justice as fairness improve upon it? Be sure to explain the difference between utilitarianism and justice as fairness. a. The main problem with utilitarianism is that it tolerates quite a bit of inequality in the distribution of goods. It doesn’t require the greatest number to be a majority of the population, or even any more than a small minority of it, if the good applies to more than it might otherwise. John Rawls’ theory of justice as fairness improves upon utilitarianism by ensuring that the greatest number of people are treated fairly and that all values are to everyone’s advantage. A great example of the difference between the two is from the book and states, “Utilitarianism might well accept a technology that increases the risk of cancer by 1 in 1,000,000 if more happiness were created than lost in the process. But justice as fairness would not accept such a technology. Maximizing happiness isn’t its point. Maximizing fairness is.” 25. (TCO 5) The sociologist Maynard Haskins once wrote that, "The biggest environmental problem is not any of the gang of five usually pointed to--pollution, overpopulation, overconsumption, the treadmill of production, or our concepts of nature. Rather, the biggest environmental problem is social inequality, for it is ultimately responsible for all the others." Drawing on readings and lectures from this course, defend or critique Haskins' pronouncement. In your answer, be sure to discuss the role (or lack thereof) of social inequality in at least three of the "gang of five." Compare and contrast how these impact free market economics and capitalism. a. I would have to say that I would have to agree with Haskins. Social inequality is by far a bigger environmental problem than the other five. Most people never bring this up because they believe that it isn’t really an issue. When in fact it is probably the base issue within the gang of five that are usually held accountable. You get overpopulation in areas of the world where; most of the population can’t afford to live in a less crowded area. A good example of this is Puerto Rico, most of the country is overpopulated and everyone is stacked right on top of each other. Overconsumption is another of the five that has a base of social inequality. Everyone in society is trying to be like the Joneses even if they don’t have the means necessary to be like the Joneses. They overconsume products just to get to a status that isn’t achievable to them because of their inequality. Lastly our concepts of nature have a social inequality as well. Everyone views nature in a different way and perceives how nature can either benefit or hinder them. The inequality that everyone has is a major impact to the gang of five and the biggest environmental problem that we have today. 26. (TCO 6) Why is organic food a positional good? What other ways do wealthy people have an advantage in avoiding pesticides? How does this relate to global inequality? How are organic foods produced, marketed, and sold in a capitalist society? Compare and contrast the future of green businesses, green energy, organic foods, and ecotourism. a. Organic food is a positional good because it’s lack of availability and price for the product. Wealthy people have an advantage of avoiding pesticides by not directly working with them on a daily basis, unlike farmers and lawn care workers. These relate to the global inequality by showing that not everyone is given or has the chance to purchase organic food and avoid pesticides. Organic foods in a capitalist society are going to be produced in a way that ensures no pesticides come into contact with them, like being in a greenhouse that is controlled. They are going to be marketed and sold to the higher class of society, who have the means and money to purchase [Show More]

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