In a contemporary urban setting, a community group is discussing the disparity in income between low-wage workers and high-level executives. They note that while low-wage workers are essential for daily operations, their contributions are often undervalued. Which sociological paradigm best explains the persistence of this income inequality and the community group's perspective on the necessity of low-wage work?

The sociological paradigm that best explains the income inequality between low-wage workers and high-level executives is the conflict theory. This theory suggests that society is made up of different groups that compete for limited resources, like wealth and power. In this case, high-level executives often hold more power and make decisions that benefit themselves, while low-wage workers, who are essential for the functioning of businesses, are overlooked and underpaid. For example, a janitor in a large corporation helps keep the workplace clean and safe, yet their salary is much lower than that of the CEO, who may have little direct involvement in daily operations. This situation shows how the community group's concern highlights the need to recognize and value the contributions of all workers, emphasizing that their roles are critical to society's overall success.