External Critiques of Functionalism

Question 1

Describe the Marxist critique of functionalism

Answer 1

Marxist argue society is based on the exploitation and classes are divided and have unequal power. Stability is the result of the RC being able to prevent change with ideological manipulation, so ‘shared values’ conceal the interests of the RC.

Question 2

Describe the action theory critique of functionalism

Answer 2

• Wrong argues functionalism is a deterministic view of the individual, he argues that in functionalism, the social system uses socialisation to shape behavior so they meet the system’s needs by performing their roles. So they assume people have no free will and are manipulated by the social system.
• Action theories are bottom-theories and believe that the individual shapes society by their interactions

Question 3

Describe the postmodernist critique of functionalism

Answer 3

• Postmodernists argue functionalism assumes society is stable, but it doesn’t account for the diversity and instability in today’s postmodern society
• They argue functionalism proved a meta-narrative that tries to create a model of the workings of society as a whole. But an overall theory isn’t possible as postmodern society is increasingly fragmented.