The functional theory of stratification represented mainly by Davis-Moore has brought about somewhat hot debates on the nature of stratification. Those who criticize the basic propositions of the Davis-Moore theory have aptly pointed out and dealt wit...
The functional theory of stratification represented mainly by Davis-Moore has brought about somewhat hot debates on the nature of stratification. Those who criticize the basic propositions of the Davis-Moore theory have aptly pointed out and dealt with the theoretically important aspects of the theory which Davis and Moore have failed to take into consideration, althought the critiques could not radically revise it. For example the latter could not have formulated a systematic theory which can replace the former's propositions that functional importance for societal survival varies positively with social position and that there exists a meaningful association between functional importance, reward and prestige.
The author in this reflection attempts to summarize the basic issues of the theory and scruitinize the famous debates evolving around it. Farthermore, he aims at demonstrating the social factors responsible for the undeniable fact of the universality of stratification phenomena. He basically joins Warner and Tumin in claiming that the differential distribution of authority takes place mainly due not to the necessity of differential rewards and prestige but to the fundamental attributes of all social organizations.