A major concern of modern theory would be the impacts of stratification within society. Social stratification is defined as the “hierarchical or vertical division of society according to rank, caste, or class” (Dictionary.com 2014). Social stratification can be operationally defined “as the systematically unequal distribution of power, wealth, and status (Bowles 2013; Kerbo 2000). Stratification establishes that all known societies, past and present, “distribute their scarce and demanded goods and services unevenly” (Grusky, Ku, and Szelenyi 2008; Tumin 1953). Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore (1945) establish a primary stratification function; which can be explained by “the requirement that any society faces to place and motivate individuals in one or more social structures” (242). Thus, the basis of stratification arises from the foundational works of sociology's forefathers, Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. Marx, Weber, and Durkheim each establish a foundation since “almost all contemporary theories of stratification and research in sociology can be traced, in one way or another, to one of these three” (Bowles 2013). This shows how Marx, Weber and Durkheim's views on stratification differ from each other. Every classic sociological theory on stratification refers to the unequal distribution of power, wealth and status in society in various forms. The works of these cardinal sociologists highlight contrasting theoretical perspectives on the evolution of a fundamental theory towards the contemporary perspective of society. Davis and Moore view stratification as a functional mechanism in society because it serves an important purpose. Society must be concerned with particular conditions on two levels in order to function...... middle of article ......rmations of modern social thought. 2nd ed. London: Sage Publication Ltd. Orlove, Raphael. 2013. “Teen Drunk Driver Is Too Rich to Be Held Responsible for Killing Four People.” Accessed March 20, 2014 (http://jalopnik.com/drunk-teen-kills-four-gets-no-prison-after-avocat-blam-1484375504)Poloma, Margret M. 1979. Contemporary sociological theory. New York: Macmillan Editions. 91-101. Sica, Alan. 2005. Social Thought: From the Enlightenment to the Present. Boston: Pearson Education Inc. Tumin, Melvin M. 1953. “Some Principles of Stratification: A Critical Analysis.” American Sociological Review 18: 387-394. Turner, Johnathan H., Leonard Beeghley and Charles H. Powers. 1998. The emergence of sociological theory. 4th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company. Weber, Max. 1930/2006. The Protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism. New York: Routledge classics.