Topic 3: Structural Theories Flashcards
briefly describe structural theories?
- macro large scale
- society shapes our behaviour by external social forces
- individuals are puppets, manipulated by society
- identity if fixed
Functionalists say that society is like the body, this is referred to as the organic analogy. What are the 3 similarities between the body and society?
- both are self regulating and inter-related
- organisms have need, if they’re not met the organism and society will die
- both perform positive functions of ensuring its survival
according to parsons, how is social order achieved and what does it provide?
social order is achieved through the existence of a shared culture and provides a framework that allows individuals to cooperate by laying down rules of how they should behave
according to functionalists, what is the basic function of value consensus?
- make social order possible by integrating individuals into the social system and directing them towards meeting society’s needs
- they do this by socialisation and social control
parsons identifies 2 types of society, what are they?
- traditional
- modern
parsons claims the family has changed to fit society, what does this mean?
- parsons refers to this as the functional fit
- traditionally, the family was extended, self-sufficient, agricultural and rural
- however, it underwent gradual evolutionary change and became nuclear. The family is smaller and is now able to be socially and geographically mobile
how does merton criticise parsons system theory?
- we cannot assume that society is always smooth and well integrated
- not everything in society performs positive functions
How would action theories evaluate functionalism?
- functionalism is deterministic
- ignores individuals choice and free will
- roles aren’t fixed - they’re negotiated
What are the key ideas of marxism?
- historic materialism - human have material needs and must work to meet them
- exploit workers for maximum profit
- have false class consciousness as we’re unaware of the true extent of exploitation
- ideas are controlled and they tell us we have no power
- become alienated
How would feminists criticise traditional marxism?
- gender is a more fundamental source of inequality than class
How else can marxists be criticised?
- economically deterministic
- fails to recognise that humans have free will and can bring about change through their own conscious actions
What are the two marxisms?
- neo marxism
- structuralist
How does Willis criticise the marxist view?
the lads did resist indoctrination and did not accept the hierarchy but capitalism is too strong and meant they ended up in dead end factory jobs, feeding capitalism
Gramsci is a neo-marxist, does he reject the idea of economic determinism?
yes
According to Gramsci (Neo-marxist), how does capitalism maintain its dominance?
- through coercion
- through consent
According to Gramsci, why is the hegemony of the ruling class never complete?
- ruling class are only a small minority
- the proletariat have dual consciousness eg the lads seeing through the teachers
According to Gramsci (Neo-marxist), what needs to happen for a revolution?
there will only be a revolution if the proletariat develop a counter-hegemony to win the leadership of society, they must develop their own organic intellectuals
Outline 2 criticisms of Gramsci’s Neo -Marxist theory?
- he overemphasises the role of ideas, and underestimates the role of the economy
- feminists would argue they fail to account for patriarchal ideas and exploitation of women
Outline 2 criticisms of Althusser’s theory?
- discourages political action - because it stresses the role of structural factors that individuals can do little about - neo Marxists would disagree and say humans can change societies
- post modernists - individuals are no longer limited by structures, they have diversity and choice
What do difference feminists believe is the reason for women’s oppression?
multitude of factors for different people
What are the changes in society recognised by liberal feminists?
- changes in socialisation - gradually leading to more rational attitudes to gender overcoming prejudice
- political action to introduce anti-discriminatory laws is bringing about a fairer society where a person’s gender is no longer important eg shared parental leave
