The growing inequalities in our society and individual’s motivation to work can be explained through different theoretical perspectives. This essay will provide examinations on two theories, the functionalist perspective of social stratification and Max Weber’s perspective of rationalisation and life chances. In the first section of the paper, the differences and similarities of these theories’ understanding of people’s motivation to work are discussed. This will be followed by the comparison of how the two theories explain the general trend of the rise of income inequality. Overall, the essay seeks to contend that the functionalist theory fits better in explaining the general trend of rise of income inequalities as opposed to Weber’s theories. …show more content…
Although high rewards may not be explicitly linked to high income, the functionalist approach appears to interpret the differences in monetary reward as the motivator behind different job positions in the community. For instance, those in the medical profession would not have committed to such career pathway without the higher rewards associated compared to the sacrifices required through the long and costly training process (Davis & Moore 1945, p. 244). Similarly, the economic rationalisation of an individual may lead to the calculation of wages in motivating one’s chosen work pursuit. However, this perspective of income as a form of reward and a factor behind one’s rational thinking may have its limitations. This is because certain positions in the society, such as nursing, may be of functional importance, but is not associated with the appropriate reward system. For example, nurses are paid at a lower rate than computer programmers (Fitzpatrick et al. 2000, p. 33), yet it is reasonable to state the occupation of stronger association with the health care system have a more important function in our society than the latter position. Therefore, one’s motivation to work in this field of employment cannot be explained through the functionalist perspective and rational decision of economic calculation. Nevertheless, the income aspect of labour …show more content…
Past researches have indicated that at the very top earnings distributions, the highest 0.1% experienced faster income growth than the next highest 1% and 9% (Piketty & Saez 2003, 2006 cited in Neckerman & Torche 2007, p. 337). According to the functionalist perspective, a person’s high income is measured from the functional importance of their position (Davis & Moore 1945, pp. 246-247), hence the differential in rewards can be associated with the uneven income distributions of individuals. This perspective approaches this trend of inequalities as necessary for the operation of society in order to promote participation in jobs of higher functional importance that require further training of skills. Therefore, the increase in wage growth at the highest earners of society and uneven distribution of income between jobs can be explained and justified through the functionalist understanding of the rewards
Income inequality has been a major issue in American history. There are many different factors that contribute to inequality. These include education, wealth, discrimination, ability, and monopoly power.
There is not a consensus with regard to which are the most important jobs; for e.g. bankers are paid very well but most people would probably argue that nurses are more important to society. Some groups start with more power and status and are therefore are able to ensure they and their children get access to the education that will mean they then get a higher status jobs. Life chances are affected by status and wealth and the poor have less access to opportunity to gain access and wealth. Tumin argued that going to universities is not really a sacrifice, although many people in the UK would probably argue it will be as fees go up. The work of the functionalists is not supported by empirical evidence, particularly with regard to the idea that there is a value consensus.
Income inequality is fair and trying to close the income gap is making the economy worse
Imagine that the U.S economy is a group of ten people making a cake. Despite the fact that everyone contributed, one person would take 90% of the cake. The other nine would be left to fight over the renaming 10%. In what universe would this be a fair situation.
Amongst all of the presidential candidates of the 2016 race, one in particular stands above the rest. Bernie Sanders, running as a democrat, holds the highest capability to better the nation amongst all other candidates.
Without realizing it, most of us live in a bubble. This impermeable layer makes us oblivious to what's going on in the world and ignorant to the truth. The media is powerful, but there is a huge difference between seeing something, and experiencing it in person. After 17 years of living in that bubble, I finally popped it and opened my eyes to a world I had never felt before. Colombia, like many developing nations, faces rampant income inequality that acts as a huge barrier for the country to make a leap towards economic prosperity. But to truly understand this great monster in our world called "income inequality", you have to experience both extreme living conditions. And during the summer, I was able to do just that. In 24 hours. With an
Executive Compensation. I’m in agreement with Thomas Piketty that the one cause of rising inequality in the United States “the rise of supersalaries” for top executives (Piketty & Goldhammer, 2014, p. 298). The average American estimates CEO to worker pay ratio at about 30-to-1, which is more than 4 times what they believe to be ideal. The career review site Glassdoor reported from 2014 data that the average pay ratio of CEO to median worker was 204-to-1 and that at the top of the list, four CEOs earn more than 1,000 times the salary of their median worker with the very top pay ratio of 1,951-to-1. In some cases a CEO makes in one-hour what it takes the average employee six-months to earn. In comparison, the Washington Post reported for the
The hot topic of inequality is a widespread issue within the United States and many other countries alike. The gap appears to be continually expanding between the extremely wealthy and the extremely impoverished. The author states that, “To really grasp the essential meaning of economic inequality requires examining how income is measured in relation to demographic changes, geographic differences, and shifting fortunes over the life course” (Gilbert 11). Determining exactly how inequality works, and is measured, becomes very difficult when considering all that plays into a viable resolution. In addition, the diverse differences that exist for income expenditures from state to state play a major role. For example, “...when regional price differences
What is Income Inequality? Well “Income Inequality is the unequal distribution” of family or individual wage over the different individuals in an economy. Income inequality is often showen up “as the percentage of income to a percentage of population” (Staff.) Income inequality creates and impacts the U.S. in different aspects, whether it is distinguished by “region, gender, education and social status” (Staff), as well as there are certain causes and potential solutions to resolve the problems that Income Inequality creates.
The issue of income inequality in the United States is complicated and does not have a definite answer. Income inequality can be measured in a few different ways. The first measurement for the income inequality in a country is to look at the percentages on households and group them into income categories, called distribution by income category. The second measurement for income inequality is called distribution by quintiles or fifths. This is when you divide the total number of people, households, families into five groups called quintiles to examine the percentage of total before tax income received by each quintile. Each quintile would then be ordered by income and households in the category.
The United States of America is vastly known for their rugged individualism. That is, the fascination with the belief that hard work and the free market will allow an individual to rise to the top. Since many of us were small children, we were told by our parents to pursue a college education, and once that is done, then our lives will fall into place.
The wealth gap should not be allowed to continue because, by letting the wealth gap continue, people are turning themselves into slaves. People's perceptions on the subject are secured by what is reality. There are solutions to make the wealth gap shrink but it will take education and the commitment of everyone. Who is affected by the wealth gap? If the gap was to shrink who would benefit from it? Wealth inequality is wrong but it can be fixed with education.
The debate over whether income inequality should be an important topic in comparison to other issues that our nation faces. Income inequality an be defined as “the extent to which income is distributed in an uneven manner among a population (dictionary.com).”According to the Census Bureau who reported that there has been a “rise in income inequality in America, the gap between rich and poor in New York is getting worse (CQ Researcher, pg. 991)”. Right America has one of the largest inequality gap, in comparison to India and the African nation of Burkina Faso (CQ Researcher, pg. 991)”. This debate over income inequality has been inconsistent. Some do not see an issue with the way that money is distributed, while other see this issue as a major problem that our nation faces and strategies/ policies needs to be implemented to address this issue. I
The distribution of income in the United States, is a growing controversy. Far left and far right groups have distinctly differing opinions on income inequality and whether it is beneficial or detrimental to the economic growth of the nation. Mainstream politics, however, tend to be relatively devoid of discussion about the extreme wealth gap. The rising levels, factors, and opinions of income inequality as well as methods of income redistribution will be discussed.
Income inequality has been a major concern around the world, and it mainly links to how economic metrics are distributed among individuals in a country. Economists generally categorise these metrics in wealth, income and consumption. Wilkinson and Picket (2009) showed in their studies that inequality has drawbacks that lead to social problems. This is because income inequality and wealth concentration can hinder or delay long term growth. In 2011, International Monetary Fund economists showed that less income inequality increased the duration of countries’ economic growth spells more than free trade, low government corruption, foreign investment or low foreign debt (Berg and Ostry, 2011).