Question

Contrast the different perspectives offered by structural-functional, social-conflict and symbolic-interaction theories in describing the causes and purpose of global stratification.

Answer 1

Structural-functional theory in the global perspective is a complex structure where various agencies work in a balanced network taking various countries. The main agency is the United Nations Organization and under the UNO, there are other agencies that work to eliminate various problems in life. In society there are many agencies that are interrelated. There are educational institutions, social service agencies, religious agencies and so on. Similarly, in the global perspective there are agencies like WHO, UNESCO, International Human Rights Commission that work harmoniously.

In the social-conflict theory it is shown how the proletariat are exploited by the bourgeoisie. It helps to prevent the control of the system by the capitalists. On the other hand, there are many agencies and state policies that help to preserve the rights of the poor and proletariat. The capitalists have to pay tax to the government and this money is used for the development of the poor and infrastructure.

Through symbolic interaction people exchange ideas among themselves and they they reflect their ideas. By presenting the poor situation of a country people mean the economic condition of the country in the perspective of reality. By the term capitalism, we mean different things to different people. There are numerous concrete things that bear some specific symbols and with the help of these symbols we express the state of a thing or situation.