FUNCTIONALIST THEORY OF STRATIFICATION

Question 1

Functionalist theory main arguments?

Answer 1

• Functionalists see stratification as necessary and beneficial for the smooth and efficient running of society because, as argued by DAVIS AND MOORE:
• all social roles (occupations) must be filled by those best able to perform them.
• Certain jobs are more functionally important than others for society.
• These jobs will require more talent or training.
• Not everybody has these talents or is prepared to undergo the necessary training.
• People must be motivated to make the necessary sacrifices e.g low pay during educating and training - in order to train for these positions with the promise of future high rewards in terms of income, wealth, status and power.
• Society is meritocratic - it is based on a meritocracy where people occupy the most important social positions because of their greater talents, abilities, qualifications and skills.

Question 2

Criticisms of functionalist theory?

Answer 2

• TUMIN argues that davis and moore are wrong because…
• Some positions are functionally more important than they may appear to be e.g nurses
• Inequality of opportunity in unequal societies prevents disadvantaged individuals from developing their talents and skills. The system of stratification itself prevents the pool of talent being larger.
• Training is not a sacrifice that needs rewarding. The costs are usually borne by parents or the state, and being a student can be pleasurable.
• Higher pay is not the only motivator for people to undertake training for functionally important jobs.

Question 3

Stratification may be dsyfunctional and inefficent because…

Answer 3

• It limits the possibility of discovering the full range of talent in a society.
• It makes people at the bottom feel less important, giving them less motivation to participate in society or improve themselves.
• Inequality can be a cause of hostility and conflict between people.
• Wilkinson and Pickett points out that - on almost every measure - the more unequal a society is, the more of suffers from social ills such as ill health, crime, social disharmony.

Question 4

MAIN WEAKNESSES OF THE FUNCTIONALIST VIEW OF SOCIAL INEQUALITY?

Answer 4

• They may have exaggerated the degree of consensus about pay and rewards, there is substantial resentment in the UK with regard to the salaries earned by groups such as bankers and MPs (they aren’t as essential as certain other jobs)
• Unequal rewards may be the product of the power of some groups to increase their rewards regardless of so called consensus. (those from rich backgrounds & MPs etc may be biased)
• Evidence suggests that not all those who occupy top jobs are the most talented i.e the UK is not as meritocratic as this theory assumes (it’s not what you know, its WHO you know)
• There are many occupations that are not highly rewarded that are essential for the smooth running of society e.g nurses, sewage workers
• Functionalism relies on a circular argument (a tautology) where something is explained by the same thing that it seeks to explain i.e we know something is functional to society because it exists, it exists because it is functional.

Question 5

MAIN STRENGTHS OF FUNCTIONALIST VIEW OF SOCIAL INEQUALITY

Answer 5

• Even those countries based on some form of communism have in reality been unequal and stratified e.g Lenskis analysis of communist social systems (such as china) suggested that social stratification was still inevitable and necessary in these types of societies
• This theory draws attention to the interdependenc of groups in a complex society with a highly developed division of labour
• It highlights the positive functions of social inequality i.e its role in enabling effective role allocation and performance