48-101 Lecture Notes - Wilbert E. Moore, Kingsley Davis, Herbert J. Gans

• School: University of Windsor
• Department: Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology
• Course: 48-101
• Professor: prof.pandyap

Document Summary

Theoretical approaches to poverty: functionalism contemporary functionalists assert that inequality is a cultural universal because it is beneficial to the operation of society. Kingsley davis and wilbert moore argue that some jobs are more important than others. In order to motivate people to fill positions that require more training and talent, it is important to offer greater rewards (including higher income, greater prestige, and more power) to these positions. Moore argue that an egalitarian society would be inefficient because it would not encourage people to excel. Davis and moore see society as a meritocracy, a system of social inequality in which social standing corresponds to personal ability and effort. Blaming the victim comes easily in a society that stresses individual responsibility. They argue that there are plenty of opportunities available to anyone who is willing to take advantage of them. The liberal position: liberals argue that poverty is more of a structural problem than an individual problem.