Section 6
Sociological Theories and Global Inequality
By Boundless
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From a functionalist point of view, inequality plays a role in holding society together and encouraging efficiency.
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Conflict theory of stratification holds that inequality is harmful to society because it creates a fixed system of winners and losers.
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The interactionist perspective on social inequality focuses on the way that micro-interactions maintain structural inequality.
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In Lenski's view, inequality is a natural product of societal development.
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In the Marxist perspective, social stratification is created by unequal property relations, or unequal access to the means of production.
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Max Weber formed a three-component theory of stratification in which social difference is determined by class, status, and power.
Market-oriented theories of inequality argue that supply and demand will regulate prices and wages and stabilize inequality.
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Dependency theory states that colonialism and neocolonialism have created unequal economic relations between poor and wealthy countries.
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World Systems Theory posits that there is a world economic system in which some countries benefit while others are exploited.
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According to state-centered theories of inequality, the government should regulate the distribution of resources to protect workers.
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Social theorists think differently about global inequality based on their sociological perspective.