Question 8

Stratification is universal due to power dynamics and resource distribution.

According to the conflict perspective, stratification is universal because groups engage in struggles for resources, and those that acquire a larger share gain power. This power is then used to exploit those with fewer resources, leading to a structured hierarchy within society.

A) Some people work harder than others, and so they are compensated for the time and effort they dedicate.

This option reflects a meritocratic view rather than a conflict perspective. It implies that individual effort determines success and compensation, which overlooks the systemic inequalities and power imbalances that define social stratification.

B) Society must make certain that its positions are filled, but some positions are more important than others. Therefore, society must offer incentives to qualified people so that those roles will be filled.

While this option suggests a rationale for stratification based on the importance of roles, it does not capture the essence of the conflict perspective. It focuses on functionalism rather than the competitive struggles for power and resources that lead to stratification.

C) Groups struggle to possess resources. Once a group has a larger share of resources, it has power and will use that power to extract labor and resources from those groups that have fewer resources.

This option accurately embodies the conflict perspective by highlighting the ongoing struggle between groups for resources. It explains how those with greater resources establish power and exploit others, thereby reinforcing stratification as a universal phenomenon.

D) Stratification is universal only in capitalistic countries.

This statement incorrectly limits the concept of stratification to capitalist societies. Stratification exists in various forms across different economic systems, and the conflict perspective emphasizes the importance of power dynamics over the specific economic framework.

Conclusion

Option C is definitively correct as it aligns with the conflict perspective's view of social stratification being rooted in the power struggles for resources among groups. All other options fail to capture this critical aspect, either by presenting a meritocratic or functionalist viewpoint or by incorrectly limiting the scope of stratification to specific economic contexts.