Question 2(a) · 402 words written
2(a)
Opening · a definition
'Social stratification' is a kind of inequality in which an individual or a group is either subordinate or superordinate to another group or individuals.
Body · points
Functional theories of social stratification advocates the functionalities of stratification system which helps in maintenance of society as a whole in consonance with its part.
Kingsley Davis & Wilbert Moore, in 'the structure of Social Stratification' have advocated the functional approach to stratification which are discussed below :-
(i) Social Stratification is a necessity. (ii) People are assigned particular position according to their talent & ability to perform the task. (iii) The roles are continuously evaluated & reward/punishment are given to peoples according to established values of society. (iv) The positions which are more functional are assigned to them those who can perform them the best & hence rewards accordingly.
- Talcott Parsons, another propounder of functionalist approach calls American society as true-achieving society, which is meritocratic society & no poverty society.
Functionalist approach has been criticised by many who advocate Stratification does not have any functional attributes. Ralph Dahrendorf advocates society is trinity of norm, sanction & power. Authority structure in society is established by social norm & sanction & institutionalised power is established.
Tumin advocates functionality or dysfunctionality depends on history & presented culture of a society. No society can be termed as purely open or close, rather all have functional, dysfunctional & nonfunctional attributes. He advocates,
(i) Talent has no measuring rod. Evaluation of talent depends upon knowledge of the person who evaluates it.
(ii) Which position is more functional or less functional that can't be judged. Something which is called less functional to one can be more to others.
(iii) Monetary compensation is not the sole criteria for which people work. Economic equality may be one criterial for social equality, not the only one.
(iv) People have own meaning of functionality according to their prescribed culture & history.
- Marxist sociologists have outrightly rejected functional theories to social stratification. they advocate these are dominant class ideology which are injected into mind of masses for their continued domination. Gramsci, in his 'Hegemonistic domination' advocates this. C. Wright Mills in his theory of 'power elites' advocates that certain section of society ie powerful politicians, army & corporate heads capture power & spread false dominant class ideology.
- Hence, functional theories are used, reused, modified or abused by many scholars in Sociological discourse.
Close · a summary
None written.