Final answer:
The Davis-Moore thesis asserts that social stratification based on the functional importance of a job is necessary to ensure that more important roles are filled by qualified individuals, due to the higher rewards associated with these positions. It suggests a form of meritocracy that encourages societal efficiency and productivity, but has been critiqued for its omissions on other inequality factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Davis-Moore thesis, there is an inherent functionality in social stratification, positing that more important jobs should offer sufficient rewards to entice individuals away from less important occupations. The theory underlines that certain tasks in society are more valuable and thus, individuals qualified for these tasks should be adequately compensated. This is essential to encourage professionals to undergo the necessary training and education for these high-skilled positions, ultimately aiming for societies to sustain efficiency and productivity.
In contrast to the idea that societies with a meritocracy are less productive than those with a caste system, the Davis-Moore thesis holds that social stratification, when based on individual merit, can serve the society as it motivates individuals to achieve and fill high-demand roles that require significant education and skills. However, this thesis has been critiqued for not addressing other contributing factors like education inequality or the influence of race and gender on stratification.a