Download Sociological Explanations of Stratification and Global Stratification: Theories and more Summaries Introduction to Sociology in PDF only on Docsity! Summary of Sociological Explanations of Stratification Functional Paradigm Conflict Paradigm Social stratification keeps society operating. Linking greater rewards to more important social positions benefits society as a whole. Social stratification is the result of social conflict. Differences in social resources serve the interests of some and harm the interests of others. Social stratification matches talents and abilities to appropriate occupational positions. Social stratification ensures that much talent and ability in society will not be developed at all. Social stratification is both useful and inevitable. Social stratification is useful only to some people; it is not inevitable. The values and beliefs that legitimize social inequality are widely shared throughout society. Values and beliefs tend to be ideological; they reflect the interests of the more powerful members of society. Because systems of social stratification are useful to society as a whole and supported by cultural values and beliefs, they are usually stable over time. Because systems of stratification reflect the interests of only part of society, they are unlikely to remain stable over time. Summary of Sociological Explanations of Global Stratification Modernization Theory Dependency Theory Historical Pattern The entire world was poor just two centuries ago; the Industrial Revolution brought affluence to high-income countries; as industrialization gradually transforms poor societies, all nations are likely to become more equal and alike. Global parity was disrupted by colonialism, which made some countries rich while simultaneously making others poor; barring radical change in the world capitalist system, rich nations will grow richer and poor nations will become poorer. Primary Causes of Global Poverty Characteristics of poor societies cause their poverty, including lack of industrial technology, traditional cultural patterns that discourage innovation, and rapid population growth. Global economic relations -- historical colonialism and now multinational corporations -- have enriched high-income countries while placing low- income nations in a state of economic dependency. Role of Rich Nations Rich countries can and do assist poor nations through population control programs, technology transfers that increase food production and stimulate economic development, and capital investment in the form of foreign aid. Rich countries have concentrated global resources, conferring advantages on themselves while generating massive foreign debt in low- income countries; rich nations impede the economic development of poor nations. Docsity.com
