Functionalism

Sociologyindex, Consensus Perspective, Sociology Books 2011

Functionalism is often referred to as ‘consensus’ theory because it doesn’t address the issue of conflict in society, rather it projects an ideal picture of harmonious social relationships.

It emerged in Europe in the 19th century as a response to what was perceived as a crisis of social order. This crisis seemed to be the result of two developments: -

The emergence of a new industrial society with it’s subsequent loss of community – poor working conditions, increase in crime, growth of housing slums, poverty etc.

The French revolution which suggested ideals of equality, happiness and freedom of the individual.

These historical conditions which were seen to approximate a crisis of economic and political order thus gave rise to a very conservative type of sociology which reflects a concern with the need for social order and integration. This is necessary if the social and economic crisis was to be overcome and controlled.

Main ideas in Functionalism
The starting point of all Functionalism is that all societies have certain basic needs - Functional requirements which must be met if a society is to survive. Functionalists are therefore concerned with the contribution the various parts of a society make towards those needs. All Functionalism is concerned with the basic need and desirability for social order and stability to prevail in society.

Explaining Social Order
In explaining the basis of social order in societies the starting point for Functionalists is to look at whole societies and not the individual; they explore the ways in which the various parts which make up a society function to maintain social order.

Emile Durkheim
Emile Durkheim draws an analogy between the way a biological organism works and society. The various organs of a living thing work together in order to maintain a healthy whole in much the same way that various institutions in society work together to produce social order.

Central Value System
Functionalists believe that the basis of an orderly society is the existence of a central value system that imposes common values on all its members. Therefore, when Functionalists look at the ways in which the various parts of society contribute to bringing about social order they are mainly concerned with the ways in which these parts help to perpetuate and maintain this common value system.

Talcott Parsons and Education
The family is the PRIMARY agent of SOCIALISATION - in the family we are judged on particularistic terms - because we gain ASCRIBED status from the Family. That is to say we are judged in terms of our status as brother, sister, daughter, son etc...

Education is the main SECONDARY agent of SOCIALISATION. In advanced industrial society we are judged in terms of ACHIEVED status and universalistic values. That is to say we are judged in terms of what we achieve and schools prepare us for this. At school our conduct is measured against the universal school rules and our status is achieved through examination.  

CONSENSUS PERSPECTIVE

Consensus perspective assumes that societies have an inherent tendency to maintain themselves in a state of relative equilibrium through the mutually and supportive interaction of their principal institutions.

In consensus theory social order and stability and social regulation form the base of emphasis. In other words consensus theory is concerned with the maintenance or continuation of social order in society

The consensus perspective approach also assumes that effective maintenance of a particular form of society is in the common interest of all its members.

Sociological theories can be classified into 'consensus' and 'conflict' perspectives. Consensus is a concept of society in which the absence of conflict is seen as the equilibrium state of society based on a general or widespread agreement among all members of a particular society. Conflict is a disagreement or clash between opposing ideas, principles, or people-this can be a covert or overt conflict. 

POLAND IN A POST-WASHINGTON CONSENSUS PERSPECTIVE
Maria Aggestam & Hans Falck, Lund University
Abstract: The Washington Consensus reforms of privatisation, liberalisation and macroeconomic stability have, to a large extent, been implemented in Poland. The banks and a majority of other state-owned enterprises have been privatised, and the trade structure has been liberalised. It is argued that both the Polish government and the Bretton Woods institutions have focused too narrowly on the goals and instruments of the Washington Consensus.
We claim that in order for privatisation and liberalisation to yield sustainable results and accelerate the integration of the Polish economy into the European Union they must be accompanied by so called Post-Washington Consensus reforms. The Post-Washington Consensus implies both broadened sets of instruments and goals such as the creation of competitive markets and functioning financial systems. Furthermore, reforms aiming at the build-up of human capital and the transfer of technology are essential for balanced economic growth and development. In addition it is claimed that infrastructural reforms are important for economic progress. However, as shown, the pace of implementation of the Post-Washington Consensus reforms in Poland so far has advanced slowly. The slow implementation of these reforms threatens to risk the continued convergence of the Polish and European economies. - snee.org/filer/papers/19.pdf 

ORGANIZING EVENTS: MANAGING CONFLICT AND CONSENSUS IN A POLITICAL MARKET SQUARE 
Authors: LARSON M.; WIKSTRÖM E.
Abstract: Events are organized by several different actors with individual interests. In order to perform the project task at hand, actors form relationships aimed at cooperation. Relationships involve political processes, which can be understood from a consensus and a conflict perspective. From the consensus perspective, mutual commitment, trust, and conversation are important to build fruitful relationships. From the conflict perspective, tensions, conflicts, and power games are considered unavoidable aspects of social interaction, which create change and renewal. The findings suggest that processes within project networks are predominantly based on either a consensus or a conflict perspective. However, consensus and conflict are not to be regarded as poles apart. Instead, they are intertwined and coexist in relational interaction. Actors use different strategies to manage political processes, aiming at building either legitimacy or mutual commitment. - ingentaconnect.com

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