Sociological Theories
Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 6.1.4
Functionalist Explanations
Inequalities in wealth and income can be explained through different sociological perspectives, including functionalist, Weberian, Marxist and feminist.
Davis and Moore
- Davis and Moore argue that inequalities in wealth and income are necessary to maintain society, this is also the preferred position of the New Right.
Maintaining society
- Some positions in society are more functionally important than other in maintaining society.
- Those who earn more have specialist skills that not everyone has the talent and ability to acquire.
Motivations
- Those who do have the ability and talent, as well as the motivation to undertake lengthy training, need the promise of high rewards in terms of income and wealth.
- A system of unequal rewards is necessary to make sure that the most able people get into the most important social positions.
Criticisms
- There is no way of knowing which positions in society are the most important, and this often relies on personal judgments.
- Some people have higher levels of wealth not because they have talent or occupy important positions in society, but because they have inherited it.
Criticisms cont.
- Material needs are not the only way to motivate people to fill important positions, there is also the role of job satisfaction or a desire to help others.
Weberian Explanations
Inequalities in wealth and income can be explained through different sociological perspectives, including functionalist, Weberian, Marxist and feminist.
Weberian explanations
- Inequalities in wealth and income arising from the different market situations of the individual, that is, the different skills that people have and the different rewards attached to them when they sell their labour in the job market.
Weberian explanations cont.
- Some people earn more because they have rare skills, talents or qualifications that are in demand, or because society values some skills and talents more highly than others.
Criticisms
- Ignores the power of inherited wealth whereby some people have the option not to work and utilise their market situation.
Marxist criticisms
- Marxists would argue it ignores the power of the ruling class not to pay a living-wage due to an excessive supply of skilled labour.
Feminist criticisms
- Feminists would point out it ignores the additional disadvantages women face, such as the glass ceiling, in undermining their market situation.
Test yourself on Sociological Theories
Who argued that inequalities in wealth and income are necessary to maintain society?
Which is NOT a criticism of the Weberian approach?