80 likes | 234 Views
Functionalist Theories of Inequality Davis and Moore. Functionalist focus upon question of: How does the system of inequality helps maintain social order? How does the system of inequality integrates people into society? Origin of functionalist theory
E N D
Functionalist Theories of InequalityDavis and Moore • Functionalist focus upon question of: • How does the system of inequality helps maintain social order? • How does the system of inequality integrates people into society? • Origin of functionalist theory • Durkheim Like an organism all parts of society have a function that serve to maintain it.
Davis and Moore’s Theory of StratificationMajor Question of Interest and Answer • Question: • Why different position carry different degrees of prestige or rewards? • Answer: • Social inequality is s an unconsciously evolved device by which society insures that the most important positions are conscientiously filled by the most qualified.
Davis and Moore’s Theory of StratificationProposition of Theory • No society is classless or unstratified • Have inequality or different rewards for different jobs in every society • There is general consensus in society about which jobs are more desirable and prestigious • Certain jobs must be done in every society • Societies have limited (scarce) resources
Davis and Moore’s Theory of StratificationHow Societies Evaluate Functional Importance of Positions • Determinants of relative rank of position • Positions that have greatest importance to society • Positions that require the greatest training
Davis and Moore’s Theory of StratificationRewards • Types of Rewards a Society can offer • Things that contribute to sustenance MONEY • Things that contribute to humor and diversion LEISURE TIME • Things that contribute to self respect and ego enhancement PRESTIGE • POSITION DOES NOT BRING ABOUT POWER AND PRESTIGE BECAUSE OF HIGH INCOME
CAUSES OF VARIATION IN SOCIAL STRATIFICATION SYSTEMS • Degree of specialization • Degree of functional emphasis • Theocratic — religious • Technical — science and administration • Magnitude of invidious differences — differences in social distance between positions • Degree of opportunity — how much mobility in society between social positions • Degree of stratum solidarity — class identity and solidarity