Lisa and Michael are having a bit of an argument. Michael is adamant that the Fu

Question

Lisa and Michael are having a bit of an argument. Michael is adamant that the Functionalist view of society offers a better explanation of our social world. He agrees with their concept that all the parts of society work together to produce a stable and harmonious system. Lisa, however, disagrees. She believes that the Marxist view, which focuses on the conflict between the two classes, provides a more suitable explanation. Whose side are you on, Lisa's or Michael's and why

Whose side are you on, Lisa's or Michael's and why?

Explanation / Answer

Functionalist view can explain better about the social world. As per functionalism, each aspect of society is interdependent and contributes to society's functioning as a whole. The government, or state, provides education for the children of the family, which in turn pays taxes on which the state depends to keep itself running. That is, the family is dependent upon the school to help children grow up to have good jobs so that they can raise and support their own families. In the process, the children become lawabiding, taxpaying citizens, who in turn support the state. If all goes well, the parts of society produce order, stability, and productivity. If all does not go well, the parts of society then must adapt to recapture a new order, stability, and productivity. For example, during a financial recession with its high rates of unemployment and inflation, social programs are trimmed or cut. Schools offer fewer programs. Families tighten their budgets. And a new social order, stability, and productivity occur. Functionalists believe that society is held together by social consensus, or cohesion, in which members of the society agree upon, and work together to achieve, what is best for society as a whole. If we understand the practical aspect of it then also we find that the society need all the people to keep itself balance .In an industry, one need different people with different skill set and those people are paid according to their competency but every individual is important and contribute in the success of that company. The same analogy we can apply in social set up as well where different individual has different psychology and competency but each one play its part then only society run in a balance manner. Thus we can conclude that functionalism can define social set up in a more elaborative and correct way.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse L
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.