Therefore, a functionalist would examine stratification and inequality as necessary because it motivates people to take key social positions. If they were not rewarded for their effort, they would not take these positions. The main focus is the unequal distribution of wealth and resources. Karl Marx, the founder of this perspective, viewed stratification as an unnecessary economic division in society. Inequality, he argued, serves few at the expense of most.
Race is a social derived category.
While ethnicity refers to a shared cultural heritage. Link to Revisions to the Racial and Ethnic Classifications Used in Census 2000 and Beyondto find out how the government officially defined and categorized race and ethnicity in the 2000 census. Look over the percents by year for each group. American Anthropological Association. Summarize their position.