Notes on Chapter 5: Modern Theories of Social Stratification

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Course of Study

• (SOC3WOE) Worlds of Exclusion: Global Social Inequalities

Title of Work

• Social Stratification and Inequality; Class Conflict in Historical, Comparative, and Global Perspective, 7th ed. (2009)

Section

• Chapter 5: Modern Theories of Social Stratification

Author/Editor of Work

• Kerbo, Harold R.

Name of Publisher

• McGraw-Hill

Chapter Outline

• Views of Social Stratification in America: Early Years

• Functional Theories of Social Stratification

• Conflict Theories of Social Stratification

• The Bases of Class Stratification and Class Location

• Theories of Social Stratification: A Conclusion

• Summary

Views of Social Stratification in America: Early Years

• Social stratification has become a pivotal area of sociological study in America over the past 50 years.

• The evolution of this discipline contrasts sharply with European social thought (e.g., Marx, Weber, Comte, and Saint-Simon) which viewed class and inequality as central issues.

• American sociology's historical underpinnings are characterized by a classless conception of society, especially in early 20th-century studies (e.g., by founders like William Graham Sumner).

• The old rigid class and estate inequalities were less visible in America, contributing to this classless image, a notion challenged by the Great Depression.

• Notable early studies include Robert and Helen Lynd's Middletown (1929), spotlighting economic issues under the facade of equality in America.

• Lloyd Warner's contributions in the 1930s were significant, stressing status rather than power or economic inequalities, identifying a school that largely ignored structural conflicts.

  • Warner defined social stratification in terms of status, viewing it as necessary in a complex society and neglecting power dynamics.

  • Research patterns reflected this, such as the assessment of social mobility and an inherent belief in equal opportunity.

• After WWII, social stratification literature began expanding, with at least 333 articles published between 1945-1953 and the first American textbook on stratification emerging in 1954.

• By the 1950s, functional perspectives dominated this field, mirroring Durkheim's focus rather than Marx's conflict theories.

• Notable transitions occurred due to events like Watergate, Vietnam, and shifts in political sentiments in the 1960s, inviting a resurgence of conflict theories.

Functional Theories of Social Stratification

• Two prominent functional theories:

  1. Davis and Moore Theory (first published in 1945)

  2. Parsons's Functional Theory

• Both contend that social stratification is necessary for social order, highlighting the importance of meeting societal needs through classification.

The Davis and Moore Theory

• The main arguments outlined in seven points (summarized from Tumin 1953):

  1. Some positions in society are more important and require special skills.

  2. Only a select few have the talents necessary for these positions.

  3. Training converts talent into skill, requiring sacrifices.

  4. To motivate individuals to make these sacrifices, future positions must offer incentives or rewards.

  5. Rewards can be classified into various categories (comfort, prestige, self-respect, etc.).

  6. Access to rewards leads to stratification and inequality.

  7. Thus, social inequality is both functional and inevitable.

• Critiques of the theory include:

  • Misalignment with real labor market dynamics (Collins 1975 argued for a tendency towards equality).

  • Assumption that position worth correlates directly with remuneration.

  • Davis and Moore’s theory, while not entirely dismissible, faces significant criticism regarding its abstraction from reality.

• Empirical examinations of the theory have shown mixed results, bolstering some claims while refuting others, indicating a complex interplay of factors influencing social stratification.

Critiques of Davis and Moore

• The labor market model implies a drift towards equality, yet the realities often skew towards inequality.

• Lack of critical engagement with the dynamics of power.

• Critiques emphasize a nuanced understanding of job prestige influenced by gatekeeping roles held by existing elites.

Parsons's Functional Theory of Social Stratification

• Parsons adds an abstract framework where status and moral evaluations shape stratification.

• His positions include:

  • People are ranked by collective societal values.

  • Wealth and power are secondary to status.

  • The functioning of society rests on aligning individuals with roles informed by common values.

• Critics challenge Parsons for undervaluing individual interests and overemphasizing societal needs.

Conflict Theories of Social Stratification

• Present a different perspective primarily rooted in the frameworks established by Marx.

• Modern conflict theorists have continued to evolve Marx's theoretical lens concerning class relations.

Summary and Critiques of Power Conflict Theories

• Power-conflict frameworks posit a more pervasive view of social conflict, suggesting it's not limited to economic arenas.

• Central to these perspectives is a recognition of organized group interests versus random individual conflicts.

• Dahrendorf's contributions highlight the importance of authority and interest dynamics within stratification systems.

The Bases of Class Stratification and Class Location

• Establishes definitions of class beyond single dimensions, integrating occupational, bureaucratic, and property metrics as critical factors.

• Erik Olin Wright articulates four-class models integrating ownership, managerial roles, worker status, and petty bourgeoisie within a contemporary capitalist framework.

Class Definitions in Contemporary Societies

• Distinctions among the upper class, corporate class, middle class, working class, and lower class illustrate modern stratification dynamics.

• Taxonomy reflects varying intersections of authority, occupation, and economic power.

A Note on Sociobiology

• The intersection of behavior motivations (selfish vs. altruistic) provides a biological foundation for understanding social behavior.

• Sociobiology explores innate tendencies towards cooperation and competition within the context of survival.

Theories of Social Stratification: A Conclusion

• Functional theories reveal limitations but underline essential frameworks of understanding stratification.

• Conflict theories present alternative explanations, asserting that social stratification inherently houses individual and group conflicts.

• The goal of sociology revolves around understanding who obtains which resources under what circumstances, often reflecting deeper societal structures and historical patterns of conflict.

Summary

• The chapter traverses functionalist and conflict theories, stressing the vital nuances in class structures and societal interactions that dictate stratification dynamics across different historical contexts.

• Societal classifications reflect complex interdependencies tied to historical, institutional, and economic factors shaping social stratification.

Note

• Studies suggest occupational prestige varies significantly across societies; commu- nist ideologies may shift perceptions of working-class jobs compared to capitalist societies, thus altering prestige insights accordingly.