Who argued that social inequalities are maintained to benefit the powerful in society?

Karl Marx is recognized for his assertion that social inequalities are a product of the economic structures and class relations inherent in society. He believed that the capitalist system is designed to benefit those who own the means of production, thus creating a power dynamic where the wealthy and influential maintain their status at the expense of the working class. This perspective emphasizes the idea of class struggle, where the interests of the powerful conflict with those of the oppressed, highlighting how social structures are organized to perpetuate inequality.

Marx argued that this systematic inequality is not just an incidental outcome of societal functioning but rather a deliberate process that serves to uphold the dominance of the ruling class. This view serves as a foundation for critical sociology, encouraging an analysis of power dynamics and the ways in which social structures and institutions reinforce the status quo. The other theorists mentioned, while contributing important concepts to sociology, focus on different aspects of social behavior, organization, and functions, rather than the direct economic power dynamics that Marx emphasizes.