WEEK 7

Sarah.kennedy.2009@nuim.ie
Sarahkennedytutorials.blogspot.com
Office Hour: Tuesday @ 10 (B2/4).

Functionalism vs. Conflict Theory

Various components of society work together to contribute to the health of the system to

achieve balance.
Most powerful use their resources to reproduce their position and maintain advantages.
The most vital jobs in society that sustain life and quality of life are often the least rewarded.
Inequality is a result of society allocating greater rewards to the most crucial positions.
Inequality is inevitable as it contributes positively to the functioning of societies.
Different groups struggle over societal resources and compete for advantages e.g. power

and economic, social, political resources.

Inequality is a result of a system of domination and subordination where those with the most

resources control others.

The most functionally important positions must be filled by the most qualified people higher

rewards encourage individuals to invest in the training etc.

Elites shape societal beliefs and laws to make their unequal privilege seem fair and

legitimate.
There is reduced mobility because the less privileged are denied the same opportunities.
Some positions within the system are more important for the survival of society .

Conflict Theory
(e.g. Marx, Bourdieu)

Functionalism
(e.g. Parsons, Davis and Moore)
Various components of society work

together to contribute to the health

of the system to achieve balance.
Inequality is a result of society
allocating greater rewards to the
most crucial positions.
Inequality is inevitable as it
contributes positively to the
functioning of societies.
The most functionally important
positions must be filled by the most
qualified people higher rewards
encourage individuals to invest in
the training etc.
Some positions within the system
are more important for the survival
of society.

Most powerful use their resources to

reproduce their position and maintain

advantages.
The most vital jobs in society that
sustain life and quality of life are often
the least rewarded.
Different groups struggle over societal
resources and compete for advantages
e.g. power and economic, social,
political resources.
Inequality is a result of a system of
domination and subordination where
those with the most resources control
others.
Elites shape societal beliefs and laws to
make their unequal privilege seem fair
and legitimate.
There is reduced mobility because the
less privileged are denied the same
opportunities.

Welfare State Typology (Esping-Anderson, 1990)

Liberal:
Market-centered in only providing the minimum.
Means-tested, modest social insurance predominates.
Entitlement rules are often strict, modest and associated with stigma to encourage citizens to opt for employment rather
than benefits.
Encourages stratification.
E.g. U.K., U.S., Ireland, Austrailia
Conservative:
Rights attached to class and status.
Most benefits are based on contributions previously made benefits received depend upon the contributions of the
individual (not a flat rate).
Encourages stratification.
E.g. Germany, Austria, France.
Mediterranean :
Similar to conservative, but gaps in protection e.g. no guaranteed minimum wage.
Increased reliance on private e.g. family supports.
E.g. Italy, Greece, Spain.

Social-Democratic:
Universalism and decommodification of social rights.
Welfare state that intends to promote equality of the highest standards, not equality of minimul needs.
Upgrading of benefits and welfare services to middle class standards/
Crowds out the market, and the traditional family.
E.g. Scandanavia

Moderators and Mediators of Inequality

(Nolan and Whelan 2014)
A variable acts as a moderator if it has an effect on the

direction and/or strength of a relationship between

variables.
E.g. Research has shown us that there is a positive association

between migrant status and underemployment, but another

variable (e.g. the moderating variable), such as class (remember
Angela Weiss) may affect the strength or direction of this
relationship.

A variable acts as a mediator if it can explain, or account

for the relationship between variables.

E.g. Social capital (Bourdieu), such as beneficial social networks,

and membership of certain groups, can explain why this

relationship exists.

Exam Question
Critically evaluate the role of the state in the creation and

maintenance of social inequalities.

What could we look at?

Lets take gender as lens to answer this question through,

we can then look at the gender pay gap as an example.

Moderating factors?
Mediating factors?

Your turn!