Structural Functionalism and Conflict Theory

Question 1

What does Structural Functionalism theorize?

Answer 1

The structures of society and their functions; focuses on social institutions, the inter-dependence of them, and how they contribute to the order/ maintenance of society

Question 2

The emergence of SF

Answer 2

Owes a lot to the work of classical theorist Émile Durkheim (despite not being a SF, his ideas contributed to it though)
- Social order: theorized that modern society was characterized by interdependence of its various components: alludes to organic solidarity
- Due to his influence, SF emerged 1940s

Question 3

Two main SF theorists

Answer 3

Parsons
Merton

Question 4

Parsons background

Answer 4

• Professor in Department of Sociology at Harvard
• Late 1930s onwards: played key role in dev of theoretical perspective of SF
• Major statement on SF came in his book: The Social System (1951)

Question 5

Merton background

Answer 5

• Studied under Parsons while working on his PhD at Harvard
• After completing PhD, went on to become a professor in Department of Sociology at Colombia
• Late 1940s onwards: made own contributions to SF
  –> Built on work of Parsons while also critical
  –> Tried to correct problems he thought existed in the SF envisioned by Parsons
• Major statement on SF came in his book: Social Theory and Social Structure (1949)

Question 6

Why was SF so dominant in the 50s

Answer 6

Fit with the mood of the types
- 1950s was a conservative decade: SF is confused on order and maintenance of society (worked well)

Question 7

Two main people who criticized SF

Answer 7

Mills
Dahrendorf

Question 8

Mills criticism of SF

Answer 8

• The Sociological Imagination (1959): presented critique of Parsons’ work
• Called the work of Parsons “Grand theory”
  –> Saw his work as “grand” because it was an extremely elaborate and highly abstract macro-level theory which tried to explain all aspects of society
• SF interested in maintaining existing society rather than changing society for the better

Question 9

Dahrendorf criticism of SF

Answer 9

Class and Class Conflict in Industrial Society (1959): presented Conflict Theory as an alternative to SF

Question 10

Other criticisms of SF in the 60/70s

Answer 10

1960s: radical decade, SF was facing mounting criticisms
- Growing social conflict (sexism, racism, etc.)
- Women’s mov, civil rights mov, other social mov were rising up against inequality associated with society and pushing for change
- All struggling for social change
- Therefore a theory focused on social order and maintaining society as it is was questioned

1970s: most sociologists had largely abandoned SF

Question 11

Neo-Functionalism re-emerging SF

Answer 11

1980s
- conservative decade
- Alexander (theorist): tried to build on Parsons’ version of SF while also overcome its deficiencies
–> Tried to correct overemphasis on macro-level by addressing the micro-level

Question 12

Systems Theory re-emerging SF

Answer 12

1980s
- Luhmann (influenced by Parsons): tried to improve the analysis
- Tried to address the failure to address social change through concept of contingency
–> Indicates that social systems are prepared to change if necessary rather than having everlasting structures or functions

Question 13

What is SF like in 21st C Sociology

Answer 13

• Has little/ no role in the 21st C.
• Now mainly of historical significance

Important to address:
- Very important role in the history of sociological theory
- A lot of reactions to this theory caused later theories

Question 14

Theories in early SF (Parsons)

Answer 14

Theoretical Approach
AGIL Scheme
Action Systems and AGIL