SOC 102 Topic 5 DQ 1

Compare and contrast Davis and Moore’s functionalist perspective of social stratification with Mosca’s conflict perspective of social stratification. After your comparison, indicate which theory you agree with and why?

ADDITIONAL INSIGHT 

Davis and Moore’s functionalist perspective of social stratification Mosca’s conflict perspective of social stratification

In this blog post, we will explore two different perspectives of social stratification: Davis and Moore’s functionalist perspective and Mosca’s conflict perspective. We will see how each of these theories explains the existence and effects of social stratification, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. By understanding both of these perspectives, we can get a more well-rounded view of social stratification and its effects on society.

What is functionalist perspective of social stratification?

The functionalist perspective of social stratification is that it is a necessary part of society. It is needed in order to create a hierarchy in which people can be organized and assigned tasks. This perspective views stratification as beneficial because it motivates people to work hard and aspire to reach the top of the hierarchy. Additionally, this perspective suggests that social stratification ensures that society has the necessary skills and talents to function properly.

What is Mosca’s conflict perspective of social stratification?

In his conflict perspective of social stratification, Italian political scientist Gaetano Mosca argued that societies are divided into two classes, the political class and the working class. The political class consists of those who hold power and make decisions on behalf of the society, while the working class is composed of those who lack power and must follow the orders of the political class.

Mosca believed that this division of society is essential for its functioning, as it provides a way for groups to cooperate while also competing with each other. This conflict between the classes is what drives social change and progress. Mosca’s conflict perspective has been influential in Marxist thought and has inspired many subsequent theorists.

How do Davis and Moore’s and Mosca’s perspectives compare and contrast?

Davis and Moore’s perspective on social stratification is that it is a necessary function of society. They argue that stratification serves to motivate people to perform essential tasks in society. Mosca’s perspective on social stratification is that it is a result of conflict between groups in society. He argues that stratification exists because those in power seek to maintain their position by keeping others in subordinate positions.

The two perspectives differ in how they view the role of social stratification in society. Davis and Moore see it as a positive force, while Mosca sees it as a negative force. Both perspectives have some merit, but the functionalist perspective is more convincing. 
The two perspectives also differ in their view of how social stratification is maintained. Davis and Moore argue that it is maintained through a system of rewards and punishments, while Mosca argues that it is maintained through a system of force and coercion. Again, the functionalist perspective is more convincing.

What are the implications of each perspective?

The main implication of Davis and Moore’s functionalist perspective of social stratification is that it is necessary in order for society to function properly. They argue that inequality is a necessary part of society because it motivates people to do the jobs that are most important to the functioning of society. While this perspective has some merit, it does not take into account the negative effects of inequality on those who are at the bottom of the social hierarchy.

Mosca’s conflict perspective of social stratification highlights these negative effects by arguing that inequality leads to conflict between different groups in society. This conflict can take many forms, such as economic competition, political power struggles, and even violence. While this perspective provides a more realistic view of social stratification, it does not explain why some groups are able to maintain their position at the top of the hierarchy while others are not.

Conclusion

Davis and Moore’s functionalist perspective of social stratification and Mosca’s conflict perspective of social stratification are two theoretical approaches that can be used to explain the existence of social inequality. While both perspectives have their strengths, the conflict perspective is more convincing in its ability to provide a comprehensive explanation for why social inequality exists.

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