functionalist

• Parsons

  Value consensus - society is meritocratic and based on a shared value system. Stratification (social hierarchy) is a natural and necessary result of value consensus. Social class inequality is not accidental in a meritocratic society, it is systematically generated by the way society is structured. In modern society, those who are hardworking and create wealth/jobs deserve greater rewards
• Davis and Moore

  Principles of social stratification: effective role allocation (where most important positions in society are filled with the most able people by offering higher rewards , e.g. income) & performance (people in these roles perform them to the highest standards)
• Davis and Moore

  We can tell which principles of social stratification are most important by:

  • functional uniqueness - if only one person/a small number of people can complete the position.
  • Degree of dependence - one who makes decisions and gives orders to those below and is dependent on no one above themselves
  • Scarcity of personnel - shortage of people with the innate ability to fulfill the position
• Davis and Moore

  Higher rewards are needed in order to motivate people to undergo the long training needed for top jobs. A meritocratic society is not an unequal society, it is justified.