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THEORIES OF STRATIFICATION (continued):The Functionalists, Conflict Theorists

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Introduction to Cultural Anthropology ­ SOC401
VU
Lesson 21
THEORIES OF STRATIFICATION (continued)
Prominent Theories of Stratification
Theories of stratification try to explain the existing inequality of wealth in and between different cultures.
The Functional Theory and the Conflict Theory provide two conflicting interpretations of social
stratification evident around the world today.
The Functionalists
Functionalists adopt a conservative position and maintain that social inequality exists because it is necessary
for the functioning of society. Functionalists emphasize the integrative nature of stratification, which results
in stability and social order.
They point out that class systems contribute to the overall well-being of a society and encourage
constructive endeavor. Functionalists argue that differential awards are necessary if societies are to recruit
the best trained and most highly skilled people for highly valued positions. They maintain that highly skilled
people need to be given greater rewards to act as an inventive for them to acquire the required skills. For
example, a brain surgeon needs to spend enormous amounts of time and energy to develop his skills and
help society and society must in turn reward him more than it does other people who do not have to make a
similar investment in obtaining a skill.
Functionalists cannot account for non-functional success of pop icons for example. Famous personalities
are often given enormous amounts of money to make public appearances due to their popularity rather than
their exceptional amount of skill. Functionalists ignore the barriers to participation of certain segments of
society.
Conflict Theorists
Conflict theorists assume that the natural tendency of all societies is toward change and conflict. Conflict
theorists believe that stratification exists because the upper classes strive to maintain their superior position
at the expense of the lower classes.
Conflict theorists do not view stratification systems as enviable or desirable. Lack of social mobility leads to
exploitation, crime, revitalization, reform and even to revolution. Conflict theory is influenced by the
wirings of Karl Marx.
Functionalists versus Conflict Theorists
Integrative aspects of stratification are beneficial for society but the exploitation of under-classes does cause
tensions and conflict. Neither theory can alone explain the existing use and dysfunctional aspects of
stratification.
Useful Terms
Revitalization: recuperation or revival
Dysfunctional: no longer able to function or have utility in the given circumstances
Exploitation: taking advantage of someone else sue to their inability to safeguard their own interests
Differential Awards: different remunerations or rewards
Social Inequality: a state of being where certain segments of society are more well off than others
Suggested Readings
48
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Introduction to Cultural Anthropology ­ SOC401
VU
Students are advised to read the following chapters to develop a better understanding of the various
principals highlighted in this hand-out:
Chapter 13 in `Cultural Anthropology: An Applied Perspective' by Ferrarro and/or Chapter 18 in `Anthropology' by
Ember and Pergrine
Internet Resources
In addition to reading from the textbook, please visit the following web-site for this lecture, which provide
useful and interesting information:
Stratification
www.soci.canterbury.ac.nz/ resources/glossary/socialst.shtml
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Table of Contents:
  1. WHAT IS ANTHROPOLOGY?:Cultural Anthropology, Internet Resources
  2. THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE AND THE APPLICATION OF CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
  3. MAJOR THEORIES IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY:Diffusionism
  4. GROWTH OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORY (continued):Post Modernism
  5. METHODS IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY:Comments on Fieldwork
  6. METHODS IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (continued):Census Taking
  7. COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND CONSUMPTION IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD
  8. ECONOMIC ANTHROPOLOGY (continued):THE DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS AND SERVICES
  9. FOCUSING ON LANGUAGE:Languages of the World, Structure of Language
  10. FOCUS ON LANGUAGE (continued):Levels of Complexity, Cultural Emphasis
  11. OBTAINING FOOD IN DIFFERENT CULTURES:Optimal Foraging, Suggested Readings
  12. FOOD AND CULTURE (continued):Food Collectors, Food Production
  13. OBTAINING FOOD IN DIFFERENT CULTURE (continued):Pastoralism, Agriculture
  14. RELEVANCE OF KINSHIP AND DESCENT:Kinship Criteria, Rules of Descent
  15. KINSHIP AND DESCENT (continued):Tracing Descent, Primary Kinship Systems
  16. THE ROLE OF FAMILY AND MARRIAGE IN CULTURE:Economic Aspect of Marriage
  17. ROLE OF FAMILY AND MARRIAGE IN CULTURE (continued):Family Structures
  18. GENDER AND CULTURE:Gender Stratification, Suggested Readings
  19. GENDER ROLES IN CULTURE (continued):Women Employment, Feminization of Poverty
  20. STRATIFICATION AND CULTURE:Social Ranking, Dimensions of Inequality
  21. THEORIES OF STRATIFICATION (continued):The Functionalists, Conflict Theorists
  22. CULTURE AND CHANGE:Inventions, Diffusion, Donor, Conventional
  23. CULTURE AND CHANGE (continued):Cultural Interrelations, Reaction to Change
  24. CULTURE AND CHANGE (continued):Planned Change, Globalization
  25. POLITICAL ORGANIZATION:Bands, Tribal Organizations, Chiefdoms
  26. POLITICAL ORGANIZATION (continued):State Systems, Nation-States
  27. POLITICAL ORGANIZATION (continued):Social Norms, Informal Mechanisms
  28. PSYCHOLOGY AND CULTURE:Emotional Development, Psychological Universals
  29. PSYCHOLOGY AND CULTURE (continued):Origin of Customs, Personality Types
  30. IDEOLOGY AND CULTURE:Ideology in Everyday Life, Hegemony
  31. IDEOLOGY AND CULTURE (Continued):Political ideologies, Economic Ideology
  32. ASSOCIATIONS, CULTURES AND SOCIETIES:Variation in Associations, Age Sets
  33. ASSOCIATIONS, CULTURES AND SOCIETIES (continued):Formation of Associations
  34. RACE, ETHNICITY AND CULTURE:Similarity in Human Adaptations
  35. RACE, ETHNICITY AND CULTURE (continued):Inter-group Relations
  36. CULTURE AND BELIEFS:Social Function of Religion, Politics and Beliefs
  37. LOCAL OR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE:Changing Definitions of Local Knowledge
  38. LOCAL OR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE (continued):The Need for Caution
  39. ANTHROPOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT:Influence of Development Notions
  40. ANTHROPOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT (Continued):Contentions in Development
  41. ANTHROPOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT (Continued):Operational
  42. CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND ART:Relevance of Art, Art and Politics
  43. CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND ART (continued):Art as a Status Symbol
  44. ETHICS IN ANTHROPOLOGY:Ethical Condemnation, Orientalism
  45. RELEVANCE OF CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY:Ensuring Cultural Survival