SOSC 103D
Social Inequality in HK
Lecture 5: Causes of Inequality
- Functionalist Approach
Modern Theories of Stratification:
Functionalist Approach
Important positions in society:
- Greater functional importance
- Limited number of talented people
Higher rewards for important positions:
(i.e. Social Stratification)
- For their greater contribution
- For the sacrifications they make
Motivation to take up important posts:
- Motivated to receive the training
- Motivated to perform the tasks
L5: 20.09.06
Survival of Society
- Working of the society
- Maintain social order
Critique of the Functionalist Theory
• Differential Functional Importance
– No standard measure of importance and
contribution
– Difficult to define and compare the importance
– Rewards of certain positions do not
necessarily reflect their actual importance.
L5: 20.09.06
• Rewards = Importance?
L5: 20.09.06
Critique of the Functionalist Theory
False Meritocracy
– Are the most important position
in society being occupied by the
most able, most talented and
most qualified people (?!)
Are the able, talented and qualified people
occupying important positions in society (?!)
L5: 20.09.06
• False Meritocracy
– Who are the most able and qualified people?
(how to define, who define)
– How are they being selected?
– Are all talented and able people have the same
chance to receive training?
L5: 20.09.06
Critique of the Functionalist Theory
• The Influence of Power and Wealth
– Rich and powerful people are those who define the
rules of them game in our society
• e.g. Political Leaders
• e.g. Cooperation's Owners
L5: 20.09.06
• The Influence of Power and Wealth
– The rich and powerful people have unequal
assess to economic and cultural resources
– They could transmit their privilege from one
generational to the next
» 虛報學歷 李澤楷公開認錯
L5: 20.09.06
Critique of the Functionalist Theory
• The Dysfunctions of Stratification
- Inhibits the discovery of talent
- Provides those at the top with the power to
justify their high position
- Weakens the self-images among those at
the bottom
- Create hostility and disintegration
L5: 20.09.06
Tutorial 1
• Stratification and Inequality (22nd Sept 2006)
Why is there social stratification? Why is there social inequality?
What are the differences between social stratification and social
inequality? Do you think inequality is inevitable in our society?
Readings:
•
Davis, Kingsley and Wilbert Moore (2001) “Some Principles of Stratification,”
in David Grusky (ed.) Social Stratification: Class, Race and Gender in
Sociological Perspective (2/e), Boulder: Westview Press.
•
Tumin, Melvin M. (2001) “Some Principles of Stratification: A Critical
Analysis,” in David Grusky (ed.) Social Stratification: Class, Race and
Gender in Sociological Perspective (2/e), Boulder: Westview Press.
L5: 20.09.06