Wilbert E. Moore

Wilbert E. Moore was a sociologist best known for his work on social stratification and the functions of social institutions. He proposed that social hierarchies and unequal rewards, like jobs and status, serve important roles in motivating individuals and ensuring society’s stability and efficiency. Moore argued that complex societies need a system to encourage the most talented and qualified people to assume key roles, even if these positions are demanding or less desirable. His ideas help explain why societies organize themselves in structured ways that distribute power and resources unevenly, aiming to maintain social order and progress.