Inequality: Functionalism

Question 1

Outline the viewpoint of Davis & Moore and the evaluation points

Answer 1

• inequalities exist in all societies and are therefore necessary for them to function and it is good
• inequality is the result of people getting higher rewards (pay) for doing more important jobs - this also encourages other people to do more difficult and necessary jobs in society
• pay and status reflect a persons value to society
• overlook the impact of structural factors e.g gender, class, race - those from the poorest section of society have a limited chance to be more socially mobile, gender inequality. Is also so built into society that it is difficult to overcome some barriers that have been set up against women
• some people are motivated by factors that aren’t monetary
• that’s not an accurate way of measuring functional importance (does this then mean the work of footballers, musicians is more important than that of surgeons)
• Tumin: they provide rich people with a justifying ideology for greed and selfishness (allowing them to operate under the guise of- i deserve it and i rightfully worked for it)

Question 2

Outline what social Darwinism theories outline

Answer 2

The strongest people in society should become wealthy and powerful, whereas the weak should be punished and controlled in the same way