Final answer:
The Radley house represents societal issues of fear and racial prejudice, which corresponds to option C) Racial prejudice. Historical contexts, like apartheid and the racial caste system in the U.S., underscore the connection between racism and social inequality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to the various societal issues illustrated in the description of the Radley house and the attitudes within the community towards it, which suggest both fear and the presence of racial prejudice. The correct answer to the question is C) Racial prejudice, considering the context provided mentions racism as a driving factor for social inequality. In the reference to the Radley house, it seems to symbolize more than just an old building; it embodies the societal issues, including the communal fears and the racism that is present within society. This can be linked to historical examples such as the apartheid in South Africa and the racial caste system that existed in the United States, both of which created significant social inequalities.
Moreover, the discussion of global stratification and economic inequality lends itself to understanding how racial prejudice can lead to and exacerbate these conditions within and between nations. It emphasizes how such prejudices and discrimination can be as harmful as economic differences and how they contribute to a lack of economic prosperity and hinder educational advancement. The example of the 'Ladder of Opportunity' clearly illustrates how economic outcomes can be vastly different for individuals based on the social and educational opportunities they have access to or are denied because of systemic inequality and prejudice.