Discuss two most prominent Influential theories of stratification.

Equilibrium Theory of Social Stratification: All such social theorists who accept the existing social order are popular called “Equilibrium Theorists” or "Structural Functionalists” or "Integration Theorists”. They place stress on "order within a society” as well as the prom by which the "order is maintained".

Society is viewed as an organism. It is held that all organisms seek to perpetuate themselves. It is asserted that society seeks a balance, integration, a consensus and a synthesis of its all parts or sections.

The assumptions of the Equilibrium Theorists can be summarized as follows:

(i) Society is a relatively persistent and stable structure of elements.

(ii) Society is a well-integrated structure of elements.

(iii) Every element has a function in society. It makes a contribution to the maintenance of the social system.

(iv) Every functioning social structure is based on a set of accepted values of its members. There is a general consensus behind these values.

While explaining social stratification, the structural-functionalists argue that there are certain essential tasks that are to be performed in each society. Knowledge and responsibility are distributed unequally in the society. In this condition, the society has the need to attract, competent persons to the functionally essential positions.

It makes it essential for the society to provide motivation to accept the unequal rewards system. Those with greater knowledge and responsibility tend to get the most out of their qualities. Such persons get higher rewards and positions. They are socially recognized as worthy of higher prestige and rewards. The society, therefore, always works and maintains itself as a stratified social system.

(v) Conflict Theory of Social Stratification: The Conflict Theory takes a different view of society. It views stratification as me result of a differential distribution of power in society in which coercion, domination and exploitation are the key processes.

Major assumptions of the Conflict Theorists are:

(a) Every society is consistently subject to processes of change.

(b) Every society displays some dissensions and conflicts

(c) Every element in a society contributes towards its integration adaptation and change.

(d) Every society is based on the coercion of some of its members on others.

Conflict theorists view stratification in terms of individuals and sub-groups within a society. They argue that inequality exists in society because there is always a shortage of valued goods and services.

Therefore, there is always a struggle over who shall get what Inequality results because valued social positions are attained not by talent or ability but by force and coercion. These are also inherited by birth or by dominance exploitation or coercion.

Thus the conflict Theory seeks to explain, social stratification in terms of the presence of conflict and coercion in society.