Description
Compare and contrast Marxian theory, Weberian theory, and functionalist theoretical arguments on inequalities.
What is the main kind (or kinds) of inequality that each theory emphasizes as fundamental? What term[s] does each theory uses to identify this kind of inequality?
What does each see as the main cause or underlying explanation for inequality (i.e., what is the basis of each theory's "analysis"?)
What does each theory say about whether a equal society is desirable, and how – if at all – a more equal society might be brought about? (Note: You might organize your answer or notes in a table format—if possible.)
Explanation & Answer
Attached.
Running head: THEORIES ON INEQUALITIES
Theories on Inequalities
Name
Affiliated Institution
1
THEORIES ON INEQUALITIES
2
Theories on Inequalities
Themes
Marxian Theory
Functionalism Theory
Weberian Theory
Inequality Types and Class Categories and
Stratification
Bureaucrat
the Term(s) Used to
Income Inequality.
Inequality.
Inequality.
Describe the
Marxism by Karl
Functionalism owes
Of All the sociologist,
Inequality.
Marx is also known as its makeup to
Max Weber is the
the conflict theory.
Durkheim. A society
most difficult to
While functionalists
to functionalists is
compartmentalize in
see a shared values
founded upon shared
perspective terms as
society, Marxists see
values and norms. A
he is neither
one that is divided
sociologist’s job,
interactionist nor
because of conflict
therefore, is to
structuralist. Weber is
arising from classes
observe how different
best defined as a
and social groups
parts of this society
conflict-structuralist
making up the society. work together for the
viewpoint since much
In every society, there
good of the society.
of his analysis is
is always a governing
Social inequality
focused on how the
structure and those
refers to a societal
structure of an
working under it. He
condition where there
individual’s
called the society
is a difference in the
relationships affects
capitalist and one
ownership of power,
how individuals
based on the
prestige and wealth
behave (George &
production of goods
amounts. When a
Wilding, 2013). In
THEORIES ON INEQUALITIES
3
by industries. In this
system is comprised
Marx’s perspective,
society, two classes
of group hierarchies,
inequality was viewed
existed including the
sociologists term it
in terms of the control
bourgeoisie who
stratification- a
and ownership of
owned knowledge,
ranking system that
material possessions
wealth, technology,
perpetuates unequal
and wealth. One
factories and property
rewarding of power
critique of this,
(Anderson, 2016).
and economical
however, is that it is
The proletariat made
rewards (George &
an oversimplified
the second class.
Wilding, 2013). An
view ignoring all the
These owned nothing
ascribed status is
forms of inequality in
but provided labor.
given to an individual
society. Weber
The proletariat was
without regard for that explained that it was
controlled in two
individual’s
more complex than
ways; through the
characte...