Theories Of Social Stratification

Chapter 9 Global Stratification
Define social stratification and then explain modern theories of stratification in the U.S. using functional theory (Davis and Moore). “Social stratification is a system in which groups of people are divided into layers according to their relative property, power, and prestige. It is important to emphasize that social stratification does not refer to individuals. It is a way of ranking large groups of people into a hierarchy according to their relative privileges.” Stratification is worldwide, and every society stratifies its members only difference is that some societies have greater inequality than others, the main point here to point out is that it is universal. Just as important is the fact that in every society around the globe gender is a basis for stratifying people. Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moor explained that stratification exist through a functionalist point of view stating that stratification is needed, and gave four main points. First point is that in order for society to function, all positions must be filled. Naturally it would follow that some positions are more important than others. Third point made is that more important positions must be filled by qualified people. Last point is that to motivate the more qualified people to fill these positions, they must offer greater rewards.
The criticism of functional theory (dysfunctions) by conflict theorists (Tumin). Melvin Tumin argued the above theory by stating that the theory is flawed. He has three points by which he argues the functionalist theory. First example, he gives is by stating that who’s to judge what positions are important and which ones are not, he gave an example of a heart surgeon and a garbage man both equally impo...

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...lth is accumulated. In these societies they will fight to win and to become the elite. So there is the elite that win surplus, and the losers at the bottom being controlled by those now in power. “The dominant group rules from the top, controlling the groups bellow them”. As one can see this part of the argument is clearly conflict theory fighting for recourses and the ones at the bottom become controlled by those at the top. Where one is born in that society not personal merit is important. Lenski’s synthesis theory is a mixture of both function and conflict theory both working together to cause social stratification. To conclude, social stratification exist globally and it divides groups to those in power and those at the bottom of the pyramid some are more unequal then others, but in all societies gender is the basis in all cultures of stratifying its members.