Theories of Society - Structuralist, Action and Postmodern

Question 1

What is structuralism?

Answer 1

The idea that people are puppets of society. Institutions such as education and the family all have a role in shaping human behaviour

Question 2

What are the 3 structuralist theories?

Answer 2

• functionalism
• marxism
• feminism
• neo marxism

Question 3

What are the 5 theories within traditional marxism?

Answer 3

• capitalism
• rulling class ideology
• false class consciousness
• exploitation and alienation
• revolution

Question 4

What two interrelated parts do marxists see as part of capitalism?

Answer 4

The Infrastructure

The Superstructure

Question 5

What is the infrastructure according to Marxists?

Answer 5

The infrastructure is the economic system. This is dominated by the rich bourgeoisie who own the means of production. For this system to work, they need the labour power provided by the proletariat. This relation is unequal as the ruling class have power over wage levels and working conditions

Question 6

What is the superstructure according to marxists?

Answer 6

Social institutions which influence the working class. This includes: family, education the media ect.

Question 7

What are the 3 main purposes of the superstructure?

Answer 7

• to reproduce inequalities
• justify inequality
• hide inequality

Question 8

How do social institutions reproduce inequality?

Answer 8

By ensuring only the middle classes get the best jobs

Question 9

How do social institutions justify inequality?

Answer 9

By transmitting ruling class ideology, capatalism is a meritocratic system

Question 10

How do social institutions hide inequality?

Answer 10

By providing free education and the NHS to bring about false class consciousness

Question 11

Evaluate the capitalism theory brought about by marxists

Answer 11

Specialised division of labour is meritocratic 
Action theorists debate the nature of class is far more complex than two groups

Question 12

According to marxists, what is the ruling class ideology?

Answer 12

The ruling class ideology is a set of ideas that benefit the wealthy.

Question 13

Give an example of ruling class ideology?

Answer 13

Parents encourage their children to take part in the specialsied division of labour, they must work hard to earn money. 
Schools also create the idea that capitalism is a meritocratic system. If people are intelligent they will succeed, if they don't work hard they will end up as working class parents

Question 14

What does the ruling class ideology lead to according to marxists?

Answer 14

If people accept the ruling class ideology to be true, then they will never challenge such ideas leaving the ruling class able to retain their vast amount of wealth

Question 15

Evaluate the ruling class ideology theory brought about by marxists

Answer 15

Action theorists would argue it is too deterministic, it creates the impression the working class are mindless puppets they don’t do anything

Question 16

What is false class consciousness? (false class consciousness theory)

Answer 16

In order for capitalism to survive, a divide must be maintained between the class groups. Working class people fail to recognise that they are being exploited

Question 17

What is the main source of false class consciousness? (false class consciousness theory)

Answer 17

Peoples socialisation. There are distinct behavioural differences between social classes. For example, the working class are taught to enjoy football which distracts them from the exploitation of capitalism

Question 18

How does the media help false class consciousness? (false class consciousness theory)

Answer 18

People are encouraged to blame others in a similar position for social problems. For example, the media heavily reports on migration which is a worse off group in society, they blame migrants for overpopulation ect. This turns the working class against each other which means they fail to acknowledge their shared experience of exploitation.

Question 19

How does the state help false class consiousness? (false class consciousness theory)

Answer 19

The state provides free healthcare and education which tricks the working class into thinking capitalism cares about them

Question 20

Evaluation of false class consciousness?

Answer 20

Neo marxists argue people live in a state of dual class consciousness. Whereby people know they’re being exploited but accept it for normal

Question 21

Explain marxists exploitation theory? (exploitation and alienation)

Answer 21

Marx believed that in a capitalist society people are routinely exploited. The bourgeoise dominate wealth because they exploit the ‘surplus value’ of peoples labour

Question 22

What is surplus value? (exploitation and alienation)

Answer 22

The difference between the value of labour and what the workers receive

Question 23

Give evidence of wealth inequality? (exploitation and alienation)

Answer 23

In 2016, the richest 1% in society owned as much as the poorest 55%. This demonstrates how the very few are making money off the masses. The working class are likely to accept this as they are dependant on the wage they receive

Question 24

How are workers alienated? (exploitation and alienation)

Answer 24

Workers are alienated in the work place. Meaning they have no control or say as to what happens in them in their working lives. e.g work hours and conditions. The proletariat are powerless to challenge this as they are disposable, they are easily replaced by workers wanting a cheaper wage.

Question 25

How are workers powerless over the products of their labour? (exploitation and alienation)

Answer 25

A labourer in a car factory collects zero of the profit made - meaning there is a complete disconnect between the work they do and the profits they receive.

Question 26

What does Marx mean by the ‘objectification of man’? (exploitation and alienation)

Answer 26

In capitalism, workers create whatever is required of them, with no control because the product of their labour belong to their employer.
Marx claims that under a marxist society everything created would be kept by the individual.
Marx thought the alienation of man kept individuals away from their natural state of nature

Question 27

Explain the marxist theory of revolutionary social change?

Answer 27

Marxists wanted social change to happen rapidly. Marx believed revolution was 'essential' for the liberation of social classes. The proletariat would rise up against the state and create a classless communist society. Private ownership would be abolished and would be replaced with communal ownership.
First, however, the working class need to replace false class consciousness with full class consciousness.

Question 28

Evaluation of the exploitation and alienation theory

Answer 28

Functionalists argue that people end up in low paid jobs because of their own fault.
Workers now have more rights than ever

Question 29

Evaluation of the revolution theory?

Answer 29

Many people happy with capitalism

Communist rule has led to the oppression of more people than capitalism

Question 30

Explain Marx and Engles ‘historicism’ theory which relates to exploitation and alienation?

Answer 30

Refers to each stage of history and how it was defined by a clash of economic ideas. Within every stage of history there was an ideological clash which Hegel described as a dialect. This dialect occurred when the ideology of the ruling class no longer corresponded to the majority. These people then experienced Marx and Hegels 'alienation' 
This happended through every economic system throughout history e.c.t Feudal or capitalist

Question 31

What did the Financial Times find about the relationship between levels of deprivation and Brexit vote?

Answer 31

Found that the most materially deprived people in society were most likely to vote for UKIP in the 2015 General Election 
--shows how working class is distracted for an anti-immigration party when they are being exploited

Question 32

What are the 4 different feminist perspectives on society?

Answer 32

• liberal feminists
• marxist feminists
• radical feminists
• difference feminists

Question 33

What do liberal feminists believe about society?

Answer 33

See society as patriarchal but acknowledge things are getting better.
–feminisation of the economy
–genderquake
Argue that gender role socialisation within families is changing in favour of girls.

Question 34

What does Oakley believe about inequality between men and women (liberal)?

Answer 34

Notes that people use gender and sex interchangeably, people persume that people born female should pursue female jobs. For example, many people still see women as the expressive leader within the family.

Question 35

Evaluation of liberal feminism

Answer 35

Exagerate the extent to which women are equal today; Men still dominate high paying jobs

Question 36

What do Marxist-feminsts believe about modern societies?

Answer 36

Argue that patriarchy is used to divide up and rule the working class men and women. Patriarchal ideology puts women into an inferior role to men where they are subject to exploitation by both men and capitalism

Question 37

What 3 ways does Benston think women are crucial to capitalism? (marxist feminism)

Answer 37

• capitalism requires a future workforce
• capitalism requires the maintenance of the workforce
• women act as a reserve army of labour

Question 38

What does Ansley think about capitalism and patriarchy? (marxist feminism)

Answer 38

Adds that women are often subject to abuse from their partner who has been exploited by the capitalist system.
This can take the form of sexual, physical or emotional abuse. Women are the ‘takers of shit’ for their overloaded husbands.
Women therefore act as a safety valve for capitalism as men tolerate being exploited as they can vent at home

Question 39

What does Barret seek to explain about why women accept such abuse? (marxist feminism)

Answer 39

Women tolerate this level of exploitation because of the familial ideology. This pressures women into desiring marriage and children and are led to believe this is their only source of happiness. Women who defy tradition are made to feel adnormal
This keeps women in a place which is secondary to men in a capitalist system

Question 40

Evaluation of marxist feminism?

Answer 40

Fails to explain the nature of the oppression of women in non capitalist societies such as China

Question 41

What do Radical Feminists believe about the nature of society?

Answer 41

They see patriarchy as the main source of inequality.

Question 42

What does Delphy argue about gender classes? (radical feminists)

Answer 42

Delphy sees gender classes as the fundamental source of inequality. They see all of societies institutions as patriarchy in action

Question 43

According to radical feminists, what is the role of institutions?

Answer 43

To reinforce the notion of male dominance to keep women in an inferior position to men

Question 44

What else to radical feminists see as the main source of oppression?

Answer 44

The family
-gender role socialisation teaches women to be submissive to men from a young age. Boys are encouraged to be tough and demand respect

Question 45

How do men use the patriarchal ideology according to radical feminists?

Answer 45

Men exploit and control women’s behaviour through the use of patriarchal ideology. For example, ideas such as women’s only place being in the home and having children puts females in a secondary position to men.

Question 46

How are men playing a game of sexual politics according to radical feminists?

Answer 46

Where men use their gender to justify controlling women. This can be on a small scale e.g. individual families or on a larger scale in areas such as business. RF regard society as malestream in which positions of great importance are often filled by men

Question 47

What do radical feminists mean by the double standards of sexuality?

Answer 47

Men are free to choose how many partners they have whereas women cannot be seen to be overly sexual as they are criticised for being slutty

Question 48

What 2 measures to radical feminists propose?

Answer 48

Separatism and politcal lesbianism

Dworkin claims this is the only way for women to free themselves from “potential rapists” (all men)

Question 49

Evaluation of radical feminism?

Answer 49

Most male - female relationships are positive
Not all men are violent
Ignores that heterosexual women want to pursue a relationship with a man

Question 50

What 5 theories come under functionalism?

Answer 50

• the organic analogy
• the needs of society
• value consensus
• social integration
• social change

Question 51

According to functionalists, what is the organic analogy?

Answer 51

Functionalists use a biological analogy to describe how society is organised

Question 52

According to functionalists, what are the 3 ways in which society works like a human body (organic analogy)?

Answer 52

• society and the body are both systems made up of interrelated parts
• body and society have needs that need to be met
• society and the body have different roles to play in order for it to function properly

Question 53

Evaluation of the organic analogy theory by functionalists?

Answer 53

Some institutions have no real impact on other parts of society therefore meaning institutions may not be interdependent on each other

Question 54

According to functionalists, what are the GAIL needs of society?

Answer 54

• goal attainment
• adaptive
• social integration
• latent needd

Question 55

Explain the goal attainment function of society according to functionalists and GAIL?

Answer 55

People are provided with goals to work towards and are given a means to achieve them

Question 56

Explain the adaptive function of society according to functionalists and GAIL?

Answer 56

Society must provide people with the resources in order to secure human existence. Economy needs to keep up to date so people have adequate resources.

Question 57

Explain the social integration function of society according to functionalists and GAIL?

Answer 57

People must have a sense of belonging to their community, this is achieved through socialisation organisations such as school or the family.

Question 58

Explain the latent needs of society function according to functionalists and GAIL?

Answer 58

Somethings need to be met to ensure stability. For example, people need an outlet to minimise stress to prevent social conflict.

Question 59

Evaluation of the functionalist view of the GAIL needs of society?

Answer 59

Parsons exaggerates the need for each function, Merton argues not every function or institution is vital

Question 60

According to functionalists, what is the value consensus function of society?

Answer 60

The main thing that shapes human behaviour is socialisation into value consensus. This is collection of norms and values which most people agree upon.
Norm = expected behaviour
Value = core beliefs which is agreed upon
Without it, society would fall into a state on anomie or normlesness whereby people no longer know how to behave
Some people do break this, they are called ‘deviant’

Question 61

Evaluation of value consensus theory from functionalists?

Answer 61

Marxists and Feminsts reject the view that society is built upon the shared agreements of key values. Believe society is built upon economic conflict or patriarchy

Question 62

According to functionalists, what is the social integration function of society?

Answer 62

In order to achieve value consensus, people need to feel a sense of belonging to society

Question 63

What two ways is social integration achieved according to functionalists?

Answer 63

• primary and secondary socialisation

- social control

Question 64

According to functionalists, how does primary and secondary socialisation achieve social integration?

Answer 64

People learn about their culture, norms and values through the family and education

Question 65

According to functionalists, how does social control achieve social integration?

Answer 65

Positive sanctions are rewarded to people for following the rules
Negative sanctions to those who breach them, such as fines or jail

Question 66

Evaluation of the social integration view of society according to functionalists?

Answer 66

Social action theorists argue it is deterministic. People are free to chose how to act in situations

Question 67

According to functionalists, what is the social change theory of society?

Answer 67

Society has slowly developed over time.

Question 68

According to functionalists, what was society like in pre industrial times (social change)

Answer 68

Society was built upon a greater sense of community where everyone lived in isolated families. Durkheim calls this ‘mechanical solidarity’, status was ascribed and people were judged by particularistic standards

Question 69

According to functionalists, what was society like in modern times (social change)?

Answer 69

People became increasingly individualistic and communities broke down because of urbanisation. Durkheim calls this ‘organic solidarity’, where people play different roles but are interdependent on each other. Status is achieved and people are judged via universalistic standards

Question 70

According to functionalists, what is structural differentiation (social change)?

Answer 70

Where specialist institutions arose which took responsibility away from the family. School provides education and hospitals provide healthcare
Parsons notes change happens through dynamic equilibrium where social change in one area leads to change in another
For example, women enter workplace, more childcare is needed

Question 71

Evaluation of the social change theory of society put forward by functionalists?

Answer 71

Deterministic in the way social change occurs (gradually and steadily), he assumes universal functionalism. Some groups do rebel however and try to bring about social change rapidly for example the franchise