Difference between a Functionalists and Conflict Theorist
There are different perspectives of understanding society. The two major perspectives are functionalist and conflict theorist.
A functionalist view holds that social institutions exist to satisfy social needs. A functionalist understand social institutions as a complex set of social norms, beliefs, values and Role relationship that arise in response to the need of society. Thus all the parts of society play a role in keeping stability and harmony in a society.
Emile Durkheim is one of the well known Functionalists.
A conflict theorist view holds that all individuals are not placed equally in society. All social institutions whether familial, religious, economic, political, legal or educational will operate in the interest of the dominant sections of the society be it class, tribe, caste or gender. The dominant section also ensures that the ruling class ideas becomes the ruling ideas of the society.
Karl Marx is one of the well known Conflict Theorist.
ON EDUCATION :
According to the functionalist sociologist, education maintains and renews the social structure, transmits and develops culture. Education is an important mechanism for the selection and allocation of individuals in their future roles in the society. it is also regarded as the ground for proving one's ability and hence selective agency for different status according to their abilities.
For the conflict theorists who perceive society as unequally differentiated, education functions as the main stratifying agent. The inequality of educational opportunity is also a product of social stratification.
ON STATE:
The functionalist perspective sees the state as representing the interests of all the sections of the society.
The conflict perspective sees the state as representing the dominant sections of the society.
A functionalist view holds that social institutions exist to satisfy social needs. A functionalist understand social institutions as a complex set of social norms, beliefs, values and Role relationship that arise in response to the need of society. Thus all the parts of society play a role in keeping stability and harmony in a society.
Emile Durkheim is one of the well known Functionalists.
A conflict theorist view holds that all individuals are not placed equally in society. All social institutions whether familial, religious, economic, political, legal or educational will operate in the interest of the dominant sections of the society be it class, tribe, caste or gender. The dominant section also ensures that the ruling class ideas becomes the ruling ideas of the society.
Karl Marx is one of the well known Conflict Theorist.
ON EDUCATION :
According to the functionalist sociologist, education maintains and renews the social structure, transmits and develops culture. Education is an important mechanism for the selection and allocation of individuals in their future roles in the society. it is also regarded as the ground for proving one's ability and hence selective agency for different status according to their abilities.
For the conflict theorists who perceive society as unequally differentiated, education functions as the main stratifying agent. The inequality of educational opportunity is also a product of social stratification.
ON STATE:
The functionalist perspective sees the state as representing the interests of all the sections of the society.
The conflict perspective sees the state as representing the dominant sections of the society.
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