Final answer:
The functionalist perspective asserts that social stratification serves a vital function in society, as it ensures that important roles are filled by the most qualified individuals, thereby contributing to societal stability and effectiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
If one looks at how social stratification may benefit a state-level society and/or its members, one is taking a(n) functionalist perspective. The functionalist perspective is a macroanalytical view within sociology that focuses on how the various elements of society contribute to the overall health and stability of the society. This perspective may argue that social stratification exists because it serves a vital function, such as enabling societies to fill complex jobs with the most qualified individuals, thereby ensuring efficiency and effectiveness. This view is often contrasted with conflict theory, which highlights how stratification leads to social inequality.
For instance, the Davis-Moore thesis, a classic functionalist approach to social stratification, posits that certain positions in society must be more highly rewarded to motivate individuals to train for and perform these roles. Hence, from a functionalist viewpoint, stratification is seen as a way to ensure that the most important roles are filled by the best-suited individuals.