How do the different perspectives explain why society is unequal?
Theories of stratification, including the functionalist view of Davis and Moore, the Marxist view, and the Weberian view of class, status and party.
A focused answer to the Eduqas GCSE Sociology stratification topic, covering the functionalist (Davis and Moore), Marxist and Weberian theories of stratification and how they explain inequality.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
Have a quick question? Jump to the Q&A page
Jump to a section
What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to explain the main theories of stratification and to set them against each other in an evaluation: the functionalist view of Davis and Moore, the Marxist view, and the Weberian view. The theories of stratification are a favourite for both short explain questions and the longer discuss questions on Component 2.
The functionalist view: Davis and Moore
The functionalist view treats inequality as fair and useful: it assumes society is a meritocracy in which rewards match importance and effort. Its weakness, critics argue, is that rewards often do not match importance (a nurse is paid far less than a footballer), and that advantage is frequently inherited rather than earned.
The Marxist view
The Marxist view is the direct opposite of the functionalist one: where Davis and Moore see inequality as fair and necessary, Marxists see it as unjust and rooted in exploitation. This clash is the heart of the stratification debate.
The Weberian view
Weber agreed with Marx that class (a person's economic position) is important, but argued that stratification is more complex than two classes in conflict. He identified three dimensions of stratification:
- Class: a person's economic position in the market (their job, skills and income).
- Status: the social honour or prestige a group has, which does not always match its wealth (an aristocrat may have status without great wealth; a "new money" millionaire may have wealth without status).
- Party: the ability to influence decisions through power, for example through political parties, trade unions or pressure groups.
Weber's view is valued because it explains inequalities that Marx's single class divide cannot, such as differences of status and power within the same economic class. A strong answer uses Weber to show that stratification has several overlapping dimensions, not just one.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas 20194 marksExplain the functionalist view of social stratification.Show worked answer →
A four-mark explain item: state the functionalist view and develop it.
Functionalists such as Davis and Moore argue stratification is necessary and beneficial for society. The most important jobs need the most talented people, so society offers high rewards (pay and status) to motivate them to train and take on these roles.
Develop the point: in this view, inequality acts as a motivation that ensures the most able fill the most important positions, so stratification performs a useful function. Markers reward a clear statement of the functionalist view plus development of why they see inequality as necessary.
Eduqas 202112 marksDiscuss the view that social stratification is necessary and beneficial for society.Show worked answer →
A twelve-mark discuss item assessing AO1, AO2 and AO3. Use functionalism for the view, Marxism and Weber against it, then judge.
For the view: functionalists Davis and Moore argue stratification is necessary. The most important jobs need the most talented people, so high rewards motivate them to train and perform, ensuring the right people fill the key roles (role allocation).
Against the view: Marxists argue stratification is not beneficial but exploitative, dividing society into a ruling class that owns the means of production and a working class that is exploited. Critics also note that rewards do not always match importance (nurses are paid less than footballers), and that inequality is inherited, not earned.
Judgement: stratification may motivate some effort, but the functionalist claim that it is fair and beneficial is strongly challenged by the evidence of exploitation and inherited advantage, so the view is one-sided. Markers reward both sides, named thinkers and a supported conclusion.
Related dot points
- Defining social differentiation and stratification, including the key concepts of social class, status, the strata of society, and ascribed and achieved status.
A focused answer to the Eduqas GCSE Sociology stratification topic, defining social differentiation and stratification, social class and status, the strata of society, and ascribed and achieved status.
- The main forms of social differentiation, including social class, gender, ethnicity and age, and the inequalities of opportunity linked to each.
A focused answer to the Eduqas GCSE Sociology stratification topic, covering social class, gender, ethnicity and age as forms of differentiation and the inequalities of opportunity linked to each.
- Life chances and poverty, including the definition of life chances, absolute and relative poverty, the groups most at risk, and explanations of poverty.
A focused answer to the Eduqas GCSE Sociology stratification topic, covering life chances, absolute and relative poverty, the groups most at risk, and the main explanations of poverty including Townsend.
- Power and inequality, including authority and coercion, power in the workplace and the home, social mobility, and how inequality is reproduced.
A focused answer to the Eduqas GCSE Sociology stratification topic, covering power and authority, power in the workplace and home, social mobility, and how inequality is reproduced across generations.
- The functionalist (consensus) and Marxist (conflict) perspectives, including socialisation, social order, shared values, capitalism, class conflict and ideology.
A focused answer to the Eduqas GCSE Sociology perspectives topic, covering the functionalist consensus view and the Marxist conflict view of society, with their key concepts and how they criticise each other.
Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCSE Sociology (C200) specification — WJEC Eduqas (2017)