Discuss the Structural

Question:Discuss the structural (ist) functionalist perspective in sociology. (Your answer should focus on the strengths and weaknesses of functionalist and Marxist perspectives) __________________________________________________________________ The Functionalist perspective has contributed immensely to the structure of society and the understanding of human behaviour in society. It is a based on an analogy between social systems and organic systems and has identified numerous ways which state why social institutions are so important to maintaining order and equilibrium in society.

Marxism has also made a valuable impact on the study sociology by emphasising on the nature of conflict present in society and the subsequent impact on individuals. Functionalism, also known as the consensus theory is a belief that society is a system that is interrelated, interdependent and interconnected. The various parts of society work together towards a common goal derived from value consensus to maintain social stability, social order and equilibrium. Functionalism began with Auguste Comte (1798-1857) and Herbert Spencer (1820-1903).

It was further developed by Emile Durkeim and other modern sociologists such as Talcott Parsons and by R. K. Merton. Functionalists focus on factors such as functions, social order and value consensus which are achieved by the various social institutions in society. They all assist in maintaining order and equilibrium in society. A social institution may be defined as a structural system which functions to meet basic social needs by providing an ordered framework linking the individual to the larger culture.

These include the family, religion and education which all have a significant role in socializing individuals and preparing them to be beneficial additions to the society. Socialization is the process by which elements of culture, norms and values are passed on from generation to generation. This process allows individual to learn and conform to accepted behaviours in society. Social order is a concept used to refer to social structures, institutions and practises which conserve, maintain and enforce accepted ways of relating and behaving.

Durkheim spoke of organic solidarity in modern times as a way of achieving social order. Organic solidarity is the belief that interdependence is based on the specialization of work through the division of labour. Parsons saw organic solidarity as a modified form of the collective conscious and argued that the acceptance of values by the internalization of norms is the basis of integration and social order in modern societies. Additionally, sanctions are also used to enforce social order. Sanctions may be defined as rewards or penalties given by members of society to regulate a person’s behaviour (Tischler).

They can be categorized as formal- dictated by law, informal-irregular and not dictated by law, positive-encourage accepted behaviours in society and negative-discourage unaccepted behaviours in society. Functionalists postulate that the internalization of norms and values is obtained through value consensus. Value consensus is a set of shared goals and norms by members of a society which reinforce collective consciousness. Tischler proposes that values are a “notions of what is good or bad, what is desirable and undesirable” in society.

Functionalism states that human behaviour is governed by value consensus and this assists in achieving order in society. Functionalism also is of the view that change in society is evolutionary. Parsons stated that in order to maintain equilibrium and cohesion in society social change has to be slow. He termed the process of social change as a “moving equilibrium”. Functionalists use a quantitative method of doing research because they believe in positivism. Positivism is a system of philosophy based on experience and empirical knowledge of natural phenomena.

Comte noted that society passed through three stages, the theological, metaphysical and positive stage, and the positive stage has an emphasis on science. There are many benefits and strength associated with Functionalism. The functionalist perspective is useful for understanding social structures and institutions and how they influence behaviour. Many social issues and successes have been linked to social structures. Take for instance the family function of primary socialization which Parsons pointed out as key in society as it internalizes society’s culture in an individual as well as structures their personality.

For example if a person has committed some sort of heinous crime, investigators would usually look at their family life to determine how much it would have influences the person to commit such an act. Functionalism also portrays the link between social institutions such as the family, education and the economy. With proper socialisation from the family the individual enters the education system and subsequently would be positive addition to the workplace and by extension the economy. However, functionalism has come under various criticisms. The

Marxists state that Functionalism over emphasises consensus and the harmonious nature of society while overlooking dysfunctions such as conflicts of interests. It is also believed to be too ethnocentric as it views society from a middle class position. Critics state that functionalism is too theological meaning that parts of a system exist because of their beneficial consequences for the system as a whole. Another accusation that functionalism falls under is being too deterministic as critics claim that human behaviour is determined by the system.

David Walsh arguing from a phenomenological perspective postulates humanity builds its own social world rather than be creating by it. Another structural perspective that has influenced the way individuals view society is the Marxist perspective. It is a conflict theory developed by Karl Marx that rejects the functionalist view of consensus and highlights the importance and consequence of division in society. Marx states that society has an order, that is bourgeoisies (upper class) at the top of the social system and the proletariats (lower class) at the bottom.

The bourgeoisies owned the means of production while the proletariats were those who sold their labour. Marx went on to state that the bourgeoisies exploited the proletariats by the use of the ruling class ideology that prevents them from seeing conflict through the various social institutions. The result is a false class consciousness in which exploitation is unrecognised and seen as natural. Marx further stated that the working class would attain class consciousness and the exploitation the proletariats suffer would become evident, therefore resulting in a revolution where a communist society will surface.

The Marxist perspective claims that social change unlike the functionalist view is revolutionary which will occur when the working class realize they are being exploited. In terms of methodology, Marx states that science it not value free because it responds to the demands of capitalism and scientific research is dominated by the interests of powerful groups. Marxist has also received its fair sure of benefits and criticisms. Marxism has been praised for highlighting the social inequalities that exist within society and identifies the economic dimension of society.

However, it has been accused of being very economically deterministic due to the conclusion that the behaviour of classes is based too strongly on the economic system. Also, communist societies such as Cuba and Russia still did not end exploitation as Marx perceived. Functionalism and Marxism brought front two very opposing views that indeed assisted in helping sociologists view and understand human behaviour in society. They both have their individual strengths and weaknesses and paved the way for many other sociologists to follow.