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Subject: Stratification and Diversification

Title : Modern Functionalism and Social Stratification

I - Modern Functionalism

Functionalists maintain that a system of social inequality serves the needs of society as a whole. In other words, all benefit from such a system, including those at the lowest levels of the social ladder. For example, they argue that a system of stratification maintains the order and stability of society.

Talcott Parsons is a prominent functionalist who argues that the stability and functioning of society is maintained by a value consensus, that is, an agreement among members of society that the social order is worth preserving. Hence, functionalism is also known as consensus structuralism; it states that society is structured into functionally distinct groups, including classes, but that the cohesion of society as a whole is maintained by a consensus held by members of society that such as structure is natural and fair. Parsons also maintains that American society, for instance, is a meritocracy since social status within it is achieved rather than ascribed; that is, the American system of stratification is open as opposed to closed. He argues that American businessmen deserve their high social status because they have achieved it through their own work and skills.

In this way, Parsons argues that American society is fair.
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