. (1) Define functionalism. (2) Melvin Tumin’s article( \"Some Principles of Str
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Question
. (1) Define functionalism. (2) Melvin Tumin’s article("Some Principles of Stratification" by Melvin Tumin) challenges the Functionalist perspective, coming closer to the conflict theory. Define conflict theory, sometimes labeled as Marxist theory. (3) Does Davis and Moore’s article explain the vast differences in income levels? Or are other factors at work? Who “benefits” from inequality? Given the vast gulf between the wealth of the highest strata of society and the lowest, do you think that inequality is beneficial for the society in the long run? See the excerpt below from Inequality Org., which shows the income distribution in the United States:
" Income includes the revenue streams from wages, salaries, interest on a savings account, dividends from shares of stock, rent, and profits from selling something for more than you paid for it. Income inequality refers to the extent to which income is distributed in an uneven manner among a population. In the United States, income inequality, or the gap between the rich and everyone else, has been growing markedly, by every major statistical measure, for some 30 years. Income disparities have become so pronounced that America's top 10 percent now average more than nine times as much income as the bottom 90 percent. Americans in the top 1 percent tower stunningly higher. They average over 40 times more income than the bottom 90 percent. But that gap pales in comparison to the divide between the nation's top 0.1 percent and everyone else. "
Explanation / Answer
Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. Also, you may have to add your personal response towards the end of the answer because your teacher has asked for your thoughts on the issue.
(Answer) (1) Functionalism: Functionalism is a theory that suggests that the human mind has a certain purpose or function. Human behaviour will adapt in accordance with that function. William James came up with this ideology in 1890 in order to use an empirical approach to study the human consciousness.
(2) Conflict theory: It is a theory proposed by Karl Marx. He claims that society will always be in a state of conflict because of the fight for limited resources. He claims that the social order is maintained by the individuals with power and not by the general public coming to a consensus.
(3) According to Davis and Moore’s theory of stratification, social inequality is pivotal in any social order. They claimed that things like income inequality were actually necessary for the smooth functioning of society.
Furthermore, Davis and Moore explained how such inequality was necessary and beneficial to the society. They explain that inequality is needed in society. Members of society must be distributed in both high and low positions of society. The people who fill these positions need to be motivated to fill these roles. Every society needs both high and low positions to be filled in order to function well. A structure like this can only be achieved when rewards are unequally distributed.
Therefore according to Davis and Moore, inequality is beneficial for the society itself and it cannot function without it.
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