Theories of Society - Structuralist, Action and Postmodern Flashcards
What is structuralism?
The idea that people are puppets of society. Institutions such as education and the family all have a role in shaping human behaviour
What are the 3 structuralist theories?
- functionalism
- marxism
- feminism
- neo marxism
What are the 5 theories within traditional marxism?
- capitalism
- rulling class ideology
- false class consciousness
- exploitation and alienation
- revolution
What two interrelated parts do marxists see as part of capitalism?
The Infrastructure
The Superstructure
What is the infrastructure according to Marxists?
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
What is the superstructure according to marxists?
Social institutions which influence the working class. This includes: family, education the media ect.
What are the 3 main purposes of the superstructure?
- to reproduce inequalities
- justify inequality
- hide inequality
How do social institutions reproduce inequality?
By ensuring only the middle classes get the best jobs
How do social institutions justify inequality?
By transmitting ruling class ideology, capatalism is a meritocratic system
How do social institutions hide inequality?
By providing free education and the NHS to bring about false class consciousness
Evaluate the capitalism theory brought about by marxists
Specialised division of labour is meritocratic Action theorists debate the nature of class is far more complex than two groups
According to marxists, what is the ruling class ideology?
The ruling class ideology is a set of ideas that benefit the wealthy.
Give an example of ruling class ideology?
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
What does the ruling class ideology lead to according to marxists?
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
Evaluate the ruling class ideology theory brought about by marxists
Action theorists would argue it is too deterministic, it creates the impression the working class are mindless puppets they don’t do anything
What is false class consciousness? (false class consciousness theory)
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
What is the main source of false class consciousness? (false class consciousness theory)
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
How does the media help false class consciousness? (false class consciousness theory)
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.
How does the state help false class consiousness? (false class consciousness theory)
The state provides free healthcare and education which tricks the working class into thinking capitalism cares about them
Evaluation of false class consciousness?
Neo marxists argue people live in a state of dual class consciousness. Whereby people know they’re being exploited but accept it for normal
Explain marxists exploitation theory? (exploitation and alienation)
Marx believed that in a capitalist society people are routinely exploited. The bourgeoise dominate wealth because they exploit the ‘surplus value’ of peoples labour
What is surplus value? (exploitation and alienation)
The difference between the value of labour and what the workers receive
Give evidence of wealth inequality? (exploitation and alienation)
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
How are workers alienated? (exploitation and alienation)
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.
How are workers powerless over the products of their labour? (exploitation and alienation)
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.
What does Marx mean by the ‘objectification of man’? (exploitation and alienation)
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
Explain the marxist theory of revolutionary social change?
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.
Evaluation of the exploitation and alienation theory
Functionalists argue that people end up in low paid jobs because of their own fault.
Workers now have more rights than ever
Evaluation of the revolution theory?
Many people happy with capitalism
Communist rule has led to the oppression of more people than capitalism
Explain Marx and Engles ‘historicism’ theory which relates to exploitation and alienation?
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
What did the Financial Times find about the relationship between levels of deprivation and Brexit vote?
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
What are the 4 different feminist perspectives on society?
- liberal feminists
- marxist feminists
- radical feminists
- difference feminists
What do liberal feminists believe about society?
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.
What does Oakley believe about inequality between men and women (liberal)?
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.
Evaluation of liberal feminism
Exagerate the extent to which women are equal today; Men still dominate high paying jobs
What do Marxist-feminsts believe about modern societies?
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
What 3 ways does Benston think women are crucial to capitalism? (marxist feminism)
- capitalism requires a future workforce
- capitalism requires the maintenance of the workforce
- women act as a reserve army of labour
What does Ansley think about capitalism and patriarchy? (marxist feminism)
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
What does Barret seek to explain about why women accept such abuse? (marxist feminism)
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
Evaluation of marxist feminism?
Fails to explain the nature of the oppression of women in non capitalist societies such as China
What do Radical Feminists believe about the nature of society?
They see patriarchy as the main source of inequality.
What does Delphy argue about gender classes? (radical feminists)
Delphy sees gender classes as the fundamental source of inequality. They see all of societies institutions as patriarchy in action
According to radical feminists, what is the role of institutions?
To reinforce the notion of male dominance to keep women in an inferior position to men
What else to radical feminists see as the main source of oppression?
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
How do men use the patriarchal ideology according to radical feminists?
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.
How are men playing a game of sexual politics according to radical feminists?
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
What do radical feminists mean by the double standards of sexuality?
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
What 2 measures to radical feminists propose?
Separatism and politcal lesbianism
Dworkin claims this is the only way for women to free themselves from “potential rapists” (all men)
Evaluation of radical feminism?
Most male - female relationships are positive
Not all men are violent
Ignores that heterosexual women want to pursue a relationship with a man
What 5 theories come under functionalism?
- the organic analogy
- the needs of society
- value consensus
- social integration
- social change
According to functionalists, what is the organic analogy?
Functionalists use a biological analogy to describe how society is organised
According to functionalists, what are the 3 ways in which society works like a human body (organic analogy)?
- 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
Evaluation of the organic analogy theory by functionalists?
Some institutions have no real impact on other parts of society therefore meaning institutions may not be interdependent on each other
According to functionalists, what are the GAIL needs of society?
- goal attainment
- adaptive
- social integration
- latent needd
Explain the goal attainment function of society according to functionalists and GAIL?
People are provided with goals to work towards and are given a means to achieve them
Explain the adaptive function of society according to functionalists and GAIL?
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.
Explain the social integration function of society according to functionalists and GAIL?
People must have a sense of belonging to their community, this is achieved through socialisation organisations such as school or the family.
Explain the latent needs of society function according to functionalists and GAIL?
Somethings need to be met to ensure stability. For example, people need an outlet to minimise stress to prevent social conflict.
Evaluation of the functionalist view of the GAIL needs of society?
Parsons exaggerates the need for each function, Merton argues not every function or institution is vital
According to functionalists, what is the value consensus function of society?
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’
Evaluation of value consensus theory from functionalists?
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
According to functionalists, what is the social integration function of society?
In order to achieve value consensus, people need to feel a sense of belonging to society
What two ways is social integration achieved according to functionalists?
- primary and secondary socialisation
- social control
According to functionalists, how does primary and secondary socialisation achieve social integration?
People learn about their culture, norms and values through the family and education
According to functionalists, how does social control achieve social integration?
Positive sanctions are rewarded to people for following the rules
Negative sanctions to those who breach them, such as fines or jail
Evaluation of the social integration view of society according to functionalists?
Social action theorists argue it is deterministic. People are free to chose how to act in situations
According to functionalists, what is the social change theory of society?
Society has slowly developed over time.
According to functionalists, what was society like in pre industrial times (social change)
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
According to functionalists, what was society like in modern times (social change)?
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
According to functionalists, what is structural differentiation (social change)?
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
Evaluation of the social change theory of society put forward by functionalists?
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
