1B - functionalist explanations for social class

Question 1

Michael Young

Answer 1

— MERITOCRACY: people with merit rewarded with higher status and money
— in 50s, could foresee arisotcracy depleting and making way for equal opportunities (NOT INEQUALITY)

Theresa May: “I want to be a place where advantage is based on merit not privilege”

Most UK residents think this is the society we live in or would like to live in.

Question 2

Evaluate Michael Young

Answer 2

Feminism: society ain’t meritocratic because patriarchy (girls better academic achievement, lower jobs)

Marxism: society ain’t meritocratic because capitalism

Question 3

Davis and Moore

Answer 3

Role Allocation theory 1945

— Stratification is permanent, universal, and FUNCTIONALLY NECESSARY
— Every society faces the task of ‘placing’ people on a hierarchy: ROLE ALLOCATION, according to abilities + effort
— 2 principles that dictate the hardest/best jobs:
— FUNCTIONAL UNIQUENESS (no other occupation can substitute for them, innate ability and training needed)
— DEGREE OF DEPENDENCY ON OTHERS (other positions dependent on them)

Question 4

Evaluate Davis and Moore

Answer 4

Marxism, e.g. Sutton Trust: highest qualifications are usually the richest or most privileged. Elite theory. Myth of Meritocracy

Question 5

Saunders

Answer 5

INEQUALITY PROTECTS LIBERTY 🗽 + FREEDOM

— unequal rewards motivate hard work, so capitalist societies thrive
— e.g. people become doctor for financial success and status
— equal society means equal rewards means no motivation and entrepreneurial spirit so society would fail
— capitalist countries unequal, but socialist countries “REPRESSIVE”
— China 🇨🇳 Cuba 🇨🇺 have less freedom
So, inequality isn’t desirable or inevitable but it protects FREEDOM

Question 6

Evaluate Saunders

Answer 6

Marxism:
equality is possible and desirable.
Marx: humans are fundamentally generous 😊 and egalitarian, but capitalism makes us greedy 👿 and competitive 🏅
Equal societies are possible where we are motivated by the ‘greater good’ 😌 instead if of inequality motivating them

Question 7

parsons

Answer 7

people socialised into value consensus 👯‍♀️
the key values we share is about ‘goal attainment’🥅
e.g. common goal in Britain = raise productivity
being socialised into value consensus is muy importante for society to function well
inequality is functional ✅ as those at the top of the hierarchy 🪜 create jobs + decisions for us all

Question 8

value consensus meaning

Answer 8

agreement on common values, which have accepted means to achieve them 🐸

Question 9

‘goal attainment’ meaning

Answer 9

we agree that those who achieve common goals should be rewarded financially

Question 10

criticisms of Parsons

Answer 10

Marxists criticise Parsons for assuming there’s general consensus on values, goals and rewards
e.g. why is there resentment about unequal distribution of wealth???

Bourdieu sees how those with higher cultural capital can maintain their high privileges 🤑💰

Baudrillard sees how society has many values e.g. Esti values maths🧮