Social Class Inequalities - Explanations

Question 1

Functionalism - PARSONS

Answer 1

Som individuals are better than others so are more worthy of rewards, E.G. executives who run businesses because they contribute to the smooth running of society.

Question 2

Functionalism - DAVIS & MOORE

Answer 2

Social stratification is functionally necessary as it does 2 things;

1) allocates the most able people to the most important roles and offers them high rewards.
2) ensures that these people perform the role to the highest standards

Question 3

(E) Functionalism- TUMIN

Answer 3

• is it possible to determine the functional importance of a position?
• is there consensus about rewards?
• many people have the ability to be a doctor but have never been given the ability
• is training a sacrifice?
• are monetary the rewards the only way to motivate people?
• stratification creates hostility, not a smooth running of society

Question 4

New Right - SAUNDERS

Answer 4

There should be inequality of outcomes to motivate people to compete for rewards.

Question 5

New Right - MURRAY

Answer 5

Over generous benefits led to underclass creating a culture of dependency where they depend on the state, remain long term unemployed and poorly socialise their children. The government should do less to to reduce poverty.

Question 6

Marxism - Problems leading to the downfall of capitalism

Answer 6

• divide between wc and capitalists would grow wider to long hours and low wages.
• workers would not be able to find job satisfaction because of their lack of control in their work (ALIENATION) They would be encouraged to find satisfaction in consumer goods
• competitions between companies leads to recession.