Functionalism and conflict theory. Conflict and Functionalism Theories 2022-12-18
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Functionalism and conflict theory are two major theoretical perspectives in sociology that aim to explain the way society functions and the causes of social problems. Both approaches have contributed significantly to our understanding of society and continue to influence sociological thinking and research.
Functionalism is a sociological perspective that emphasizes the functions of various parts of society and how they work together to maintain social order. According to functionalists, society is a complex system that is made up of different parts, each of which plays a specific role in maintaining the stability and order of the whole. For example, the family performs the important function of socializing children and reproducing the next generation, while the education system teaches individuals the skills and knowledge they need to function in society.
Functionalists argue that social institutions and practices serve a purpose and contribute to the overall functioning of society. They see social problems as the result of a malfunction in one or more parts of the system, and believe that these problems can be solved by finding ways to restore the balance and harmony within the system.
Conflict theory, on the other hand, focuses on the ways in which power and resources are distributed within society and how this distribution creates conflict and inequality. According to conflict theorists, society is not a harmonious unit, but rather a battleground in which different groups struggle for power and resources. They argue that social institutions and practices serve the interests of the powerful, rather than the common good, and that social problems are the result of this unequal distribution of power and resources.
Conflict theorists believe that social change is driven by conflict and struggle, as disadvantaged groups seek to challenge and overthrow the existing power structure. They see social problems as the result of social injustice and inequality, and believe that addressing these problems requires fundamental changes to the power dynamics within society.
In conclusion, functionalism and conflict theory are two important sociological perspectives that offer different explanations for the way society functions and the causes of social problems. While functionalism emphasizes the stability and harmony of society, conflict theory focuses on the ways in which power and resources are distributed and how this creates conflict and inequality. Both approaches have contributed significantly to our understanding of society and continue to shape sociological thinking and research.
sociology
Economically, he saw conflict existing between the owners of the means of productionâthe bourgeoisieâand the laborers, called the proletariat. The first one is that the actions of human beings are founded on the way they understand things. Functionalism helps in maintaining our social principles and anticipations. In other words, the functionalist approach emphasizes that social consensus holds society together with the consent of its members and therefore they should work together to achieve the best for society as a whole. Before the emergence of sociology, society had never been the major concern and its study was carried in a very unscientific manner. For example, the government provides chemicals and manure for farmers and they can succeed in agriculture and can contribute to the overall economic development of the society, by providing people with healthy food and also by paying tax to the government to continue this procedure.
Therefore, those with most resources put pressure on those without resources, and in the end, there is an unequal distribution of resources. In all of which there are two major classes. The theory demonstrates that the unequal distribution of the resource is brought by people who are powerful and want everything to be in their interest. The key difference between functionalism and conflict theory is that, in functionalism, the society is understood as a system consisting of different subsections that have specific functions. These classes can be defined by the relationship an individual has to the means of production.
This allows for the individual to become an effective and functioning part of society, effectively integrating them. At the same time, the conflict theory perspective utilizes the ideas of Karl Marx as its foundation. Functionalism interprets that society is maintained by shared standards, languages, and symbols. Conflict theory â Is There a Difference? At the same time, the key goal of conflict theory is to emphasize change because, without it, society cannot exist. While the prevailing standard of living, as defined by economist Elizabeth Ellis Hoyt- is not material things consumed but instead are the sum-total, not of things, but of satisfaction attained The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2020.
The capitalists keep searching for ways to exploit and get more capital and surplus values amidst this coronavirus pandemic. Societies operate under perpetual scarcity of resources. Nevertheless, the functionalist perspective does not address unjustified stratification systems, in which people are ascribed to a certain status because of aspects they cannot control, such as race or gender. These two different theoretical approaches explain the structure and the functional organization of a society. Functionalism and Conflict theory use a macro approach in understanding the society.
Sociology of Poverty: Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives
Nevertheless, it continues to stress out that conflict is, in fact, the enabling tool of progress â even despite the fact that most people are naturally driven to think of it in the necessarily negative terms. Functionalism shows us how our society stays balanced. For example, there is also a conflict theory developed by Karl Marx. On the flip side, conflict theory designates the social and economic features as the motives for misconduct and aberration. Andersen and Taylor 20 indicate that the family offers reproductive roles and children are taught the changes in society that helps them to understand the surrounding better. The conflict theory approach is primarily about the ongoing class conflict in society due to the unequal distribution of resources. Also, this theory eliminates the issue of structural determinism by theorizing more on individuals and their behaviors rather than placing the individuals within the context of the larger society, like the case of functionalism and the conflict theory Vassallo 37-38.
Summary: Functionalism Vs Conflict Theory Difference Between
Functionalists show how each of the parts of society are interrelated, each contributing to the well-being of society. . Theoretical Perspectives on Social Stratification. The main concept in functionalism is solidarity, indicating how well the different elements of the society can work together to attain the main goal of continuity of the society. The holistic approach adopted by Sociology could help us understand the world general social problems in relation to one another; relationship of COVID-19 to religion, politics, economy, law and many more.
It is evident that functionalism and conflict theory contradict each other. Functionalism is very impactful because it looks at every aspect of society, how it functions, and how that helps society function. Accordingly, functionalism states that each aspect of society serves a function and are necessary for the survival of that society. Sociology: Understanding a Diverse Society. Conflict Perspective: A perspective in the social sciences that emphasizes the social, political or material inequality of a social group; critiques the broad socio-political system; or otherwise detracts from structural functionalism and ideological conservativism. Learn more Thus, the theory maintains the sharing of public resources that produce an orderly society. Believe that a further shore Is reachable from here.
How does functionalist theory view conflict? Simultaneously, conflict theorists remain certain of the detrimental nature of stratification. It is the key study for the present situation. According to Durkheim, there is vital interconnectivity of all the elements of any society that share common ideas and principles, and the sum of these elements is not as great as the society itself. Other explanations for the failure to settle this issue are also discussed. Conflict theory views social and economic institutions as tools of the struggle between groups or classes, used to maintain inequality and the dominance of the ruling class.
With that said, this essay will examine the impact the Sociological theories, Functionalism, Conflict, and Interactionism regarding their impact on education. By providing studies which proved that societies could be stronger than ever imagined Durkheim was able to enlighten people to the fact that society is made up of many social groups and he could even pinpoint their behaviour and roles in any given society. Learn more However, we should also emphasize some connection between the two views of sociology. The third assumption is that social actions come from an integration of individual actions Andersen and Taylor 22. Functionalism analyses the norms, customs, traditions, and institutions of society as a whole. The second difference should be called the approach to the study of society: in functionalism, sociological structures are interrelated, complementary to the development of society, whereas, in conflict theory, they are seen as enemies in a competitive battle. The functionalist-conflict debate American sociology began undergoing significant development in the 1940s.
Functionalist and conflict theory, Sample of Essays
It showcases that the limitation of resources create these class order in a society and this order is maintained by the domination and power, rather than on consensus and conformity. This is why the issues of power, reward, and interest come into the picture in the theory. The concept that is inherent in the conflict theory is competition, where the theory seeks to bring out the aspects of pressure that are generated from the competition. Society, 47 3 , 186-192. Sociology in Europe: In search of identity. A person who is engaged in the study of sociology is referred to as a sociologist. Well, we have seen in world at large how this corona virus pandemic have reduced social interactions between people.
