Page 41 - DSOC202_SOCIAL_STRATIFICATION_ENGLISH

Social Stratification

Notes a high position will vary from society to society. Further he argued that stratification is an inevitable
part of all human societies because he believes that stratification system are just, right and proper,
since they are basically an expression of shared values. He called these shared value as social
values norms. He believed that power and prestige differentials are essential for the co-ordination
and integration of a social system. It serves to further collective goods which are based on social
values. But this is not to say that there is no conflict between the haves and have-nots. Conflict
does exist between the highly rewarded and those who receive little reward. However, he argued
that this conflict is kept in check by the common value system which justifies the unequal
distribution of rewards if these values are challenged this would lead to instability in that society.
The functionalists believe that all the functions carried out by various parts of the society are
functional for its survival. But they are not equal in importance. The people who perform higher
functions are ranked higher. People differ in terms of their innate ability and talent. Positions
differ in terms of their importance for the survival and maintenance of society. Certain positions
are more functionally important than others. A most important function of stratification as believed
by the functionalists, is to match the most able people with the functionally most important
positions. It does this by attaching high rewards to those positions. The aim for such rewards
motivates people to compete for them and in theory the mall talented will win through.
Functionalists like Davis and Moore argued that social stratification is a device by which societies
insurance that the most important positions are honestly filled by the most qualified persons.
Parsons believes that stratification system are just, right and proper, since they are basically an
expression of shared values. He called these shared value as social values norms. Each society
devices its own values and norms which are best suited for maintaining order and stability.
Shared values are a necessary part of all social systems. He argued that power and prestige
differentials are essential for the coordination and integration of a social system. It serves to
further collective goods which are based on social values. But Parsons did not neglected the
conflict aspect here because he further said that there will be conflict when the social values are
challenged.
Theory of Social Action
As the time passed his interest in Institutional Economics considerably developed for which credit
goes to Prof. Hamilton. He was keen student of German social thinkers, including Max Weber. He
also translated his work ‘Protestants Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism’. He also drew inspiration
from Pareto’s theory of residue and non logical actions. Durkheim also inspired him in so far as
his ideas about Non Natural Normative Elements of Social Action are concerned. Max Weber’s
ideas about capitalism and subjective meaning went a long way in formulating his ideas.

Parsons was born in the year 1902 and graduated from London School of Economics
in the year 1924. In 1927 he got his Doctorate from Hiedelberg University.

He started his career as a teacher in Emerist College and subsequently joined Harvard University.
In 1944 he was appointed as Professor of Sociology. With his ideas and writings he has very much
influenced contemporary social thought.
His Important Works : Though Parsons has written a lot, yet some of his important works are
‘Structure of Social Action ; Theory of Social and Economic Organisations’; Essays in Sociological
Theory ; The Social System and Towards a General Theory of Social Action. As already mentioned
he translated Max Weber’s famous work, ‘Protestant Ethics and Spirit of Capitalism’.

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