Functionalist Theory Of Social Stratification

Social Stratification can be defined as “the study of whole societies, in comparative perspective, in an attempt to understand processes of social stability and change.” (Scott, Marshall, 2009:735). Nolan and Lenski (2004) stated that social organizations are a basic component of society; consequently, implying that societies are composed of different social classes that are defined by different roles, norms, ranks and values. Moreover, this assignment will Karl Marx’s theory of stratification and asses its usefulness in society today. Firstly, by briefly looking through Marx’s theory, secondly by looking at other theories of stratification:

“Some Principles of Stratification” by Kingsley Davis and Wilbert E. Moore is a great instance of the structural functionalist theory. In the article, it views stratification through the lens of a functionalist and states that stratification doesn’t necessarily lead to conflict, rather we need it in order for society to function. Furthermore, it illustrates the functions of stratification,

Social inequality is a problematic phenomenon that occurs all around the world and affects both the developed and developing nations. It is defined as “the unequal distribution of social, political and economic resources within a social collective” (van Krieken et al. 2013, p. 205). Inequality is closely connected with social stratification, a system of social hierarchy that positions individuals and groups into categories according to social variables such as class or ethnicity (van Krieken et al. 2013, p. 485). This stratification has a significant impact on the opportunity that an individual may have to move up the hierarchy of inequality (Gill 2017a).

I agree with Davis-Moore 's thesis that social inequality is beneficial to society. Without social inequality everyone would be equal, earning the same amount of money and working at the same jobs. One of the major benefits of social inequality is that individuals have different occupations that differ in their importance in society. While there are some jobs anyone could do, like working at Taco Bell. Other jobs require a lot of skill, patience, and knowledge, like

Stratification theories are defined as theories which emphasize social forces, particularly those related to a person’s social stratum or social category. Stratification is society’s categorization of people which can be based off a variety of things such as race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status. These stratification theories limit individual choices and affect a person’s ability to function in late adulthood.

Christopher Doob wrote the first edition of Social Inequality and Social stratification in US Society. The author structures this book in the direction towards a theoretical concept that attracts the reality of social inequality and stratification as a whole. Doob dissects this books into eleven chapters given that each chapter examines the inequality of stratification. Also during the readings of this book Doob used plenty of data to show the socioeconomic strata revolved around the history of America. In relation to this book the assigned four readings in class “Class A guide through the American Status System, Class

Theory: connect it to the symbolic-Interaction Theory. The micro level analysis of social stratification is important because people’s social standings affect their everyday life. Rich people do not want to hang with homeless people. Everyone thinks highly of themselves that poor people just don’t want to work and are lazy is not surprising. Because of their social standing, they try to justify inequality.

     On the other side of the spectrum, are the conflict theorists, who believe that the inequality of the resources trying to be attained is caused directly because of the wants and desires of the people who are trying to attain them. This theory is all based on a group of people in power making the other groups think that they are the best to be in power and create a false consciousness for the masses. The main group stays in power because they make all sorts of promises to the masses and deceive them at the same time. The group in power takes everything that they can from the people and tell them that this is due to another cause. A basic example is how Enron worked and how the executives spent lavishly and even got severance

Social Inequality refers to any difference between groups or individuals in society which results in one having inferior life chances than the other. Functionalists believe these inequalities are the result of the meritocracy we live in. This is a system based on the idea that social stratification is necessary and desirable for the society. Functionalists argue that inequalities have a purpose; they are functional for society. Functionalism is a structural theory based on the notion that society is based on shared values. This consensus means that society will be in a state of equilibrium and there is harmony, as a result of which there will be social solidarity.

Conflict theorist have an opposing view, that the inequality seen in society is a result of domination and coercion where those with power, wealth and prestige exploit those without to maintain their standings. They believe that that every person and class are fighting over a limited number of resources and each is competing for an advantage. Wealth inequality is unfair because the elites, those in control of “societal resources” use those resources to perpetuate their own standing by shaping the belief system of society, controlling the distribution of resources, and blocking the mobility and opportunities of the poor. Because the wealth inequality is inherently unfair, conflict theorist argue that the disadvantaged in society should be given support by redirecting the “societal resources” to those in need. [9]

      Social Stratification works here in that as a trait of society is not simply a reflection of

Social Stratification is a term used by sociologists to describe inequalities that exist between society and us as individuals and can also be described as a hierarchy with the less privileged people at the bottom and the more favoured people at the top. (Giddens, 2006)

Davis-Moore Theory of Social Stratification is a functionalist concept. Their theory is that stratification arises due to unconscious social needs to place the ablest persons in the most important positions, and then motivate them to perform their job (Grandjean, 1975). Davis and Moore believe stratification systems

The 21-st century is characterized by the continuous economic downfall. The relationship between race, class and gender should be evaluated to identify the life chances of people to improve their relative position in our socially stratified world. The increased rates of unemployment, homelessness and poverty show that our society requires implementing a transformative approach to reduce social stratification. The term social stratification is applied to identify and asses different forms of inequality that exist in the US society. Patricia H Collins suggests, “while a piece of the oppressor may be planted deep within each of us, we each have the choice of accepting that piece or challenging it as part of the 'true focus of revolutionary change'” (p. 680). Inequality has become a universal feature of our society; therefore, it exists everywhere and concerns race, class, and gender as the key categories of society.

Even without being consciously aware of it, the use of some sort of scale when interacting with others is quintessential. This is because it represents a basic need of defining the self through the means of the others; knowing one’s place in society, as well as the positions of fellow individuals, ensures an orderly functioning of said system. For the sake of this essay, the definition of social stratification as a society’s categorization of its people into rankings of socioeconomic tiers based on factors like wealth, income, race, education, and power (Pearce, 2015), will be used.