conflictconsensus

- Functionalism (Durkheim)

- Functional Structuralism (Talcott-Parsons)

- Historical Materialism (Marx)

- Power / Bureaucracy (Weber)

Social equilibrium is the inherent and natural state of the system.

(Dominant framework of the 20th century.)

Conflict is the inherent and natural state of the system.

Organic analogy arguing that society possesses basic functions analogous to biological living organisms. The needs of the organism are called functions, and the parts of the organism are called structures.

Contradiction of capitalism, economic determinism, and patterns of property ownership between labor and capital.

Society is social system with various needs of its own,

that must be met.

Society is the setting within various struggles take place.

Social inequality is a function of hard work,

innate talent, and selection by others.

Social inequality arises through coercive institutions (force, fraud, & inheritance).

Social inequality comes from human nature.

Social inequality is the chief source of conflict.

“State” and laws as organs of total society,

acting basically to promote the common good.

“State” and laws as instruments of oppression employed

by the ruling classes for their own benefit.

Social class as aggregations of people with

certain common characteristics.

Social class as social groups with distinctive interests, which inevitably brings them to conflict.

What function does it serve?

For whom is it functional?

Durkheim: each part has a function, ensuring survival of the whole. Inherent functions of society are reproduction, cultural transmission, and the distribution of authority.

The function of schools is to pass on certain values.

Marx: unequal distribution of wealth and goods in society is the unequivocal source of conflict.

The base or foundation of economics determines social institutions and practices (such as schools).

Talcott-Parsons: without an efficient mechanism of socialization, social order and harmony is impossible. Common culture and values are pre-conditions for social stability. Achievement and Equality of Opportunity (mostly through schooling) are fundamental to create societal consensus.

Weber: Conflicts related to class are necessarily the only ones central as a whole. The “state” is the mediator of conflict, rather than the expression of the interests of the dominant class. Schools are formal and multi-leveled bureaucracies, unlike industrial corporations and other prototypical social organizations. Stratification stems from Economic power, Prestige power, and Political power.

- Functionalism (Durkheim) - Functional Structuralism (Talcott-Parsons)	- Historical Materialism (Marx) - Power / Bureaucracy (Weber)
Social equilibrium is the inherent and natural state of the system. (Dominant framework of the 20th century.)	Conflict is the inherent and natural state of the system.
Organic analogy arguing that society possesses basic functions analogous to biological living organisms. The needs of the organism are called functions, and the parts of the organism are called structures.	Contradiction of capitalism, economic determinism, and patterns of property ownership between labor and capital.
Society is social system with various needs of its own, that must be met.	Society is the setting within various struggles take place.
Social inequality is a function of hard work, innate talent, and selection by others.	Social inequality arises through coercive institutions (force, fraud, & inheritance).
Social inequality comes from human nature.	Social inequality is the chief source of conflict.
“State” and laws as organs of total society, acting basically to promote the common good.	“State” and laws as instruments of oppression employed by the ruling classes for their own benefit.
Social class as aggregations of people with certain common characteristics.	Social class as social groups with distinctive interests, which inevitably brings them to conflict.
What function does it serve?	For whom is it functional?
Durkheim: each part has a function, ensuring survival of the whole. Inherent functions of society are reproduction, cultural transmission, and the distribution of authority. The function of schools is to pass on certain values.	Marx: unequal distribution of wealth and goods in society is the unequivocal source of conflict. The base or foundation of economics determines social institutions and practices (such as schools).
Talcott-Parsons: without an efficient mechanism of socialization, social order and harmony is impossible. Common culture and values are pre-conditions for social stability. Achievement and Equality of Opportunity (mostly through schooling) are fundamental to create societal consensus.	Weber: Conflicts related to class are necessarily the only ones central as a whole. The “state” is the mediator of conflict, rather than the expression of the interests of the dominant class. Schools are formal and multi-leveled bureaucracies, unlike industrial corporations and other prototypical social organizations. Stratification stems from Economic power, Prestige power, and Political power.