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Davis-Moore Thesis on Inequality
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Which of the following statements best critiques the Davis-Moore thesis on inequality?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

It argues that social stratification is necessary for society to function.

B

It fails to account for the impact of inherited wealth on social mobility.

C

It suggests that inequality motivates individuals to work harder.

D

It claims that all positions in society are equally important for functionality.

Understanding the Answer

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Answer

The Davis-Moore thesis suggests that social inequality is necessary because it motivates people to work hard and fulfill important roles in society. However, a strong critique of this idea is that it overlooks how certain positions, like those of wealthy CEOs, can be rewarded far beyond their actual contributions, while essential jobs like teachers and nurses are often underpaid. This means that the thesis doesn't account for the differences in power and privilege that can influence who gets what in society. For example, a teacher might work much harder and have a bigger impact on students' lives than a corporate executive, yet earn a fraction of their salary. Therefore, the thesis can be seen as unfair because it ignores the fact that not all roles are valued equally, regardless of their importance.

Detailed Explanation

This statement points out that the thesis does not consider how wealth passed down from parents affects people's chances to succeed. Other options are incorrect because This option suggests that social layers are needed for society to work well; This choice implies that inequality pushes people to try harder.

Key Concepts

inequality
critiques of the thesis
Topic

Davis-Moore Thesis on Inequality

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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