Marxism and Functionalism

• Marxism and Functionalism are major sociological theories with different viewpoints on how society functions

Marxism (Conflict Theory)

• Developed by Karl Marx in the 19th century as a conflict theory
• It views society as divided into competing classes: the bourgeoisie (ruling class) and the proletariat (working class).
• The ruling class exploits the working class.
• Society is structured around economic inequality.
• Social control is used to maintain the dominance of the wealthy elite.

Key Marxist Ideas

• Historical Materialism: Economic systems (feudalism, capitalism) shape society.
• Class Struggle: Society is in constant conflict between the ruling and working classes.
• Exploitation: Capitalists profit by underpaying workers, keeping them dependent.
• Ideology and False Consciousness: The ruling class controls ideas (via media, education, religion) to keep workers unaware of their exploitation.
• Revolution and Change: Capitalism would eventually collapse, leading to a classless, communist society.

Social Control in Marxism

• Laws and the Legal System protect the bourgeoisie’s private property and capitalism
• News and advertising promote consumerism, distracting the working class from their exploitation
• Schools teach obedience, preparing students to accept low-paying jobs without questioning authority

Criticisms of Marxism

• It overemphasizes economic factors, ignoring other inequalities like gender and race
• Assumes that workers lack agency and will automatically revolt
• Fails to explain why capitalism persists without rebellion

Key Marxist Sociologists

• Karl Marx argued that capitalism exploits workers
• Louis Althusser introduced Ideological State Apparatuses (education, religion) and Repressive State Apparatuses (police, military) as tools of control
• Antonio Gramsci developed the concept of hegemony, where the ruling class maintains power through culture and ideology

Functionalism (Consensus Theory)

• Functionalism is a consensus theory that views society as a system of interdependent parts
• The parts work together to maintain stability and order.
• It emphasizes social cohesion.
• Institutions like family, education, and law are necessary for maintaining harmony.

Key Ideas of Functionalism

• Organic Analogy: Society functions like a living organism where different institutions (family, economy) work together like organs in a body
• Social Order and Stability: Social control ensures that individuals conform to shared norms and values
• Value Consensus: Most people agree on fundamental values, which keeps society running smoothly
• Social Integration: People must feel connected to society (through shared culture and education)
• Meritocracy: People achieve success based on ability and effort rather than class

Social Control in Functionalism

• Laws and Legal System: Punishment for crime reinforces shared values (e.g., murder is wrong)
• Education teaches discipline and respect for authority, promoting social stability
• Religion's religious beliefs provide moral guidance, preventing deviant behavior

Criticisms of Functionalism

• Ignores inequalities and power struggles, assuming all institutions benefit everyone equally
• Overlooks social change, assuming society is always stable
• Too optimistic as it fails to explain issues like poverty, crime, and oppression

Key Functionalist Sociologists

• Émile Durkheim argued that social cohesion and collective conscience maintain social order
• Talcott Parsons believed institutions exist to serve society's needs and maintain equilibrium Robert Merton developed the concept of manifest functions (intended consequences) and latent functions (unintended consequences) of social institutions

Comparison of Marxism and Functionalism

• Marxism views society as divided by class struggle, while functionalism sees it as unified and stable
• Marxism focuses on economic inequality, while functionalism focuses on social harmony
• Marxism sees social control as maintaining ruling class power, while functionalism sees it as maintaining social order
• Marxism advocates revolutionary change, while functionalism is conservative and supports stability
• Marxism uses schools to teach obedience to serve capitalist interests, while functionalism uses schools to socialize children into shared values

Social Control

• Social control is mechanisms, strategies, and institutions that regulate behavior and maintain social order
• Ensures individuals conform to societal norms and values, preventing chaos and deviance

Types of Social Control

• Formal Social Control: Enforced by official institutions like the police, legal system, and government
• Informal Social Control: Enforced by socialization agents like family, peers, education, and media

Social Cohesion (Émile Durkheim)

• Social cohesion refers to the bonds that hold a society together, ensuring stability, and is based on shared norms, values, and collective consciousness
• Traditional societies (mechanical solidarity) rely on strong collective norms
• Modern societies (organic solidarity) maintain cohesion through specialization and interdependence

Social Bond Theory (Travis Hirschi)

• Individuals conform to society when they have strong social bonds
• Attachment: Strong emotional ties to family, friends, and community
• Commitment: Investment in conventional goals (e.g., education, career)
• Involvement: Participation in social activities reduces deviant behavior
• Belief: Acceptance of social norms and laws

Sanctions

• Sanctions encourage conformity.
• Positive Sanctions (rewards): Employee promotions, school certificates, social media likes.
• Negative Sanctions (punishments): Fines, imprisonment, social exclusion

Debate Between Consensus and Conflict Views of Social Control

Functionalism (Consensus View)

• Functionalists see society as a system where all parts work together to maintain stability
• They believe social control is necessary for order
• Émile Durkheim says laws and norms create social cohesion.
• Talcott Parsons says social control helps maintain a stable, functioning society

Pros of Consensus View

• Promotes stability and order
• Encourages cooperation and shared values
• Recognizes the role of institutions in maintaining harmony

Cons of Consensus View

• Overlooks inequality and power imbalances
• Assumes that everyone benefits equally from social control
• Ignores how laws might favor certain groups

Marxism (Conflict View)

• Argues that social control maintains the dominance of the ruling class (bourgeoisie) over the working class (proletariat).
• Karl Marx says the ruling class enforces laws to protect its interests
• Louis Althusser says control operates through Ideological State Apparatuses (e.g., education, media) and Repressive State Apparatuses (e.g., police, military)

Pros of Conflict View

• Highlights power inequalities
• Explains social resistance and change
• Recognizes ideology's role in shaping behavior

Cons of Conflict View

• Overemphasizes class struggle, ignoring social cohesion
• Downplays individual agency in social control
• Assumes all laws serve elite interests

Effectiveness of Agencies of Formal Social Control

• Government creates laws and policies
• Anti-discrimination laws promote equality
• Police enforces laws and investigates crime
• Stop-and-search policies prevent weapons possession
• Courts determines guilt and administers justice Sentencing criminals to community service or prison
• Penal System punishes and rehabilitates offenders
• Rehabilitation programs for drug offenders
• Armed Forces protects national security
• Military intervention during civil unrest

Effectiveness of Formal Social Control

• Maintains law and order
• Protects citizens from harm
• Deters crime through punishment
• Can be used to oppress marginalized groups

Methods of Control Used by Formal Agencies

• Law-making: Creating rules for behaviour through laws against theft, assault, and discrimination.
• Coercion: Using force or threats by riot police dispersing protests
• Digital Surveillance: Monitoring online activity through CCTV, phone tracking, and internet censorship
• Arrest: Detaining suspected criminals
• Police arresting a shoplifter.
• Sentencing: legal punishment for crimes through community service, fines, prison sentences
• Imprisonment: Restricting freedom as punishment such as life sentence for murder.
• Michel Foucault argued that modern social control relies on surveillance, making people police themselves in Discipline and Punish

The Effectiveness of Agencies of Informal Social Control

• Family is the primary agent of socialization, and provides teaching manners and discipline
• Education instills values and discipline through school rules and uniform policies
• Peer groups reinforce norms through approval/disapproval via peer pressure to avoid drugs
• Media shapes public opinion
• News frames crime differently based on race
• Religion provides moral guidance like teachings against stealing or lying.
• Workplace enforces professional behavior through dress codes and workplace policies
• Informal control is often more influential than formal control
• Varies by culture and social context, e.g., parenting styles

Methods of Control Used by Informal Agencies

• Ostracism: Exclusion from a group, such as a child being ignored for misbehavior
• Parental Rewards: encouraging good behavior, giving pocket money for chores
• Social Media 'Likes': Reinforcing behavior through approval via posting a fitness achievement and getting positive feedback
• Religious Sanctions: Punishments or rewards in religious settings, such as excommunication from a church
• School Punishments: discipline in educational settings such as detention for being late
• Dismissal from Job: Losing employment for misconduct, such as firing an employee for harassment
• Erving Goffman explores how social stigma influences informal control
• Pierre Bourdieu discusses cultural capital, which affects how social control operates across social classes

Resistance to Social Control Through Protest groups and Subcultures

• People resist control by joining protest movements or forming subcultures
• Reasons for resistance:
  • Perceived injustice
  • Desire for individual freedom
  • Reaction to oppression
• Examples of Resistance are protest groups such as civil rights movements, online and youth sub-cultures
• Howard Becker (Labelling Theory): People resist social control when labeled as "outsiders" by society
• Michel Foucault: Resistance arises when power is too oppressive

Explore Marxism and Functionalism, major sociological theories with different viewpoints on how society functions. Marxism, developed by Karl Marx, is a conflict theory that views society as divided into competing classes: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Functionalism emphasizes social harmony and stability.