Question

Consider the matter of rock-bottom prices at Walmart. What would a functionalist think of Walmart's model of squeezing vendors to get the absolute lowest prices so it can pass them along to core nation consumers?

Answer 1

Most of the big corporations crush their employees, suppliers and customers in order to get through the business competitions. Functionalist view justifies the social inequality by stating that this inequality is necessary to fulfill the vital system needs. Walmart, just like any other multinational retailer exploit the vendors who supply things to them in order to sell them back to the customers in developed countries. These companies force them or push them to the corner by threatening them thus leaving no choice to the vendors from the developing or underdeveloped countries. They maintain this inequality and social status using their power, money and political influence. They also make sure that they corrupt the officials in the vendors’ countries to make way for their businesses.