Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

Development Studies

Good Essays
7721 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Development Studies
This essay is aimed at comparing and contrasting structural functionalism with the Marxist and the noe-marxist theories to social change, how they best describe social change in less developed countries; in this case Zambia. The paper is to also outline the relevance of the two approaches and come up with one that offers the best approach as in the case of Zambia.
Social change refers to the structural transformation of political, social, cultural, and economic systems and institutions to create a more stable society. It can also be defined as change in social structure, the nature of the institutions, social behavior or the social relations of the society or community of people. When behavior pattern changes in large numbers and is visible and sustained, it results in social change. Once there is deviance from culturally inherited values, rebellion against the established system may result causing change in social order, any event or action that affects a group of individuals who have shared values of characteristics (Herman, Nancy J and Reynolds, Larry T: 1994).
Structural functionalism is defined as a sociological theory that originally attempted to explain social institutions as collective means to meet individual biological needs ( Giddens, 2006).
Structural functionalism to sociological analysis is basically an equilibrium theory. The system is said to be in equilibrium when its component parts are so compatible with each other, denying an outside disturbance, none of them will change its position or relation to others in any significant way. An equilibrium system is said to be stable when a slight change in external conditions creates internal variations whose own effects is equal and opposite to the initial disturbance, thereby moving the system back to its former position of rest. It is said to be unstable when the initial disturbance creates movement that feeds on its relationships, thereby displacing the system further from its original position of rest (Davies, K:1959).
Structural functionalism can also be defined as a sociological paradigm which addresses social functions and various elements of the social system perform in regard to the entire system. Social structures are stressed and placed at the centre of analysis and social functions are deduced from these structures(ibid).
Functionalist believe that one can compare society to a living organism, in that both society and a living organism are made up of interdependent working parts and systems that must function. Functionalists say that the different parts of society e.g family, education, religion, law and order, media etc. have to be seen in terms of contribution that they make to the functioning of the whole society. This organism analogy sees the different parts of society working together to form a social system in the same way that the different parts of an organism form a cohesive functioning entity.
In relation to the case of Zambia, structural functionalism is relevant in understanding social change. It is relevant in that it provides general guidelines for behavior in terms of norms. These institutions of society such as family, religion, the economy, law and order, the educational and political systems are major aspects of social structure.
A practical example of an institution that is relevant in Zambia is a family. According to Glencoe (1995;114), the family is the first social world a child encounters, and members are the mirror in which children begin to see themselves. It is the first group whose norms and values children adopt as their own and refer to in evaluating behavior. Historical analysis also demonstrates that across time, the family has provided many important functions for society.
Functionalists believe that mass formal education is an essential part of an industrial society, and that expansion of industrial society, and that expansion of the industrial economies brings a corresponding expansion in the education system, they also see the introduction of mass education as a response to the increasing demand of the industry. Educational institutions such as colleges, Universities and schools in Zambia help in the development process of Zambian society. Glencoe (1995:118) adds that in modern society, school is a primary agent for weaning children from home and introducing them to the larger society. He further adds that educational institutions have rules and regulations to control those in there hence not only educating them but giving and teaching them rules that will help them live better lives in society.
The mass media is one institution that is also very vital. The forms that reach large numbers of people in form of, Television, radio, and books are all important in that they contribute in being a watch dog, a channel of communication, an educative means and ways in which people express themselves (ibid). Another example of social change is technology influx in recent years such as email, cell phones and online social networks. Each part of the institutions mentioned and listed does something to serve a function or purpose in the Zambia social change. People who employ functionalism view society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system.
The theory of belongs to a board theories that are referred to as radical theories of development. The theories are further explained in terms of materialism which are dialectical and historical. By materialism Karl Marx meant that the economic structure of society was the foundation or basis on which the whole society is built (Andropove, V: 1983).
In Marxist theories, the division of society into classes is determined by the position within the process of production. Economic development gives rise to these classes and assumes different relationships to the process of production. Marxism hence is the name given to the body of ideas, which in their totality provide a fully worked out theoretical basis for the struggle of the working class to attain a higher form of human society (ibid).
Class consciousness consists of the appropriate and rational reactions imputed to a particular typical position in the process of production. This consciousness is therefore, neither the sum nor the average of what is thought or felt by the single individuals who make up the class. The historical significant actions of the class as a whole are determined in the last resort by this consciousness and not by the thoughts of the individual. These actions can be understood only by reference to this consciousness (Klaus, W:1989).
Karl Marx and Engels state 5 stages in which a human society has to pass through in order for it to develop. These include primitive, feudalism, capitalism, socialism and communism. Primitive society is the first stage of development of human society and arises from the differentiation of man from the animal kingdom (Popkin, H. R: 1986).
Feudalism is the second stage of social development according to Marxism. At this stage, the land lords and nobles comprised of dominant classes and the peasants or serfs that belonged to the exploited class. Capitalism is the third stage and it involves the private ownership of the means of production. In capitalism, there is an emergence of two classes, that is, the bourgeoisies as the owners of capital and the proletariat as the working class (Johari, J: 1989).
Socialism is the fourth stage under Marxism. In socialism, the state has an important role to play on the part of resource allocation. The state is responsible to ensure that all members of society have equal and equitable access to resources. The last stage is Communism according to Marxism. A communist society is one having neither class nor state and all resources in society are equally and equitably distributed. A Communist state can be referred to as a workers paradise. The neo-Marxists on the other hand, after seeing the failure of working-class revolutions in Western Europe after World War I, chose the parts of Marx 's thought that might clarify social conditions that were not present when Marx was alive. They filled in what they perceived to be omissions in Marxism with ideas from other schools of thought. Neo-Marxists view class divisions under capitalism as more important than gender/sex divisions or issues of race and ethnicity. Neo-Marxism encompasses a group of beliefs that have in common rejection of economic or class determinism and a belief in at least the semiautonomy of the social sphere.
From the above information provided, it can be deduced that despite Marxism, and Neo-Marxism and the Structural functionalism having different approaches to social change, they both place an emphasis on the importance of society in which all the members benefit and the how the society develops as it improves on the living conditions of its people.
Both Marxism, and Neo-Marxist and Structural functionalism emphasize that inequality should exist in order for social change to take place. In Marxism bourgeoisie pay the proletariat low wages for their labour. Structural functionalists state that wages must be given to workers in order for them to carry out their work of which in most cases tend to be low. They also emphasize on the need of the use of force in the process of social change. In the Marxist theory, serfs are treated like slaves in that they are forced to do hard work by the land lords despite low wages. Force is used to control the serfs. In structural functionalism, people who go against the norms, values and rules governing a society are to be punished by some administration of justice. In both Marxist, and Neo-Marxist and Structural functionalism, members of society have roles to play in order for society to develop and progress. This means that individuals are significant not only in themselves but also in terms of their position in patterns of social relations.
One of the differences between Marxist, Neo-Marxist and the Structural functionalism is that in Marxism, social change occurs revolutionary while as for structural functionalism, social change occurs evolutionary without conflicts. Marxism holds the belief that in order for social change to take place, conflicts should exist in order for society to progress.
Unlike structural functionalism, Marxism emphasizes on formation of a society comprised of classes. The classes include the serfs and the land lords in feudalism, the proletariat and the bourgeoisies in capitalism. Structural functionalism emphasizes on different parts of society such institutions and organizations working together in order for society to survive while Marxism and Neo-Marxism states that members of society function for their survival and not necessarily for society, for example; the bourgeoisie and the proletariat in capitalism.
Unlike Marxism, structural functionalism does not contain a sense of agency that individuals are seen as puppets only acting as society requires and the most sophisticated forms of functionalism are based on highly developed concept of actions.
In conclusion, structural functionalism better explains achievement of social change in less developed countries like Zambia as compared to the Marxist and Neo-Marxist theories to social change, the Marxist and Neo-Marxist do not offer a valid explanation in the case of Zambia because they advocated for socialism as the ultimate solution towards betterment of society. Structural functionalism may hence be feasible as in the case of the Zambian situation. However, it does not apply to the present day situation because it was used to explain economic situations in most developed countries which can not apply in the case of the Zambian situation.

I

This essay is aimed at comparing and contrasting structural functionalism with the Marxist and the noe-marxist theories to social change, how they best describe social change in less developed countries; in this case Zambia. The paper is to also outline the relevance of the two approaches and come up with one that offers the best approach as in the case of Zambia.
Social change refers to the structural transformation of political, social, cultural, and economic systems and institutions to create a more stable society. It can also be defined as change in social structure, the nature of the institutions, social behavior or the social relations of the society or community of people. When behavior pattern changes in large numbers and is visible and sustained, it results in social change. Once there is deviance from culturally inherited values, rebellion against the established system may result causing change in social order, any event or action that affects a group of individuals who have shared values of characteristics (Herman, Nancy J and Reynolds, Larry T: 1994).
Structural functionalism is defined as a sociological theory that originally attempted to explain social institutions as collective means to meet individual biological needs ( Giddens, 2006).
Structural functionalism to sociological analysis is basically an equilibrium theory. The system is said to be in equilibrium when its component parts are so compatible with each other, denying an outside disturbance, none of them will change its position or relation to others in any significant way. An equilibrium system is said to be stable when a slight change in external conditions creates internal variations whose own effects is equal and opposite to the initial disturbance, thereby moving the system back to its former position of rest. It is said to be unstable when the initial disturbance creates movement that feeds on its relationships, thereby displacing the system further from its original position of rest (Davies, K:1959).
Structural functionalism can also be defined as a sociological paradigm which addresses social functions and various elements of the social system perform in regard to the entire system. Social structures are stressed and placed at the centre of analysis and social functions are deduced from these structures(ibid).
Functionalist believe that one can compare society to a living organism, in that both society and a living organism are made up of interdependent working parts and systems that must function. Functionalists say that the different parts of society e.g family, education, religion, law and order, media etc. have to be seen in terms of contribution that they make to the functioning of the whole society. This organism analogy sees the different parts of society working together to form a social system in the same way that the different parts of an organism form a cohesive functioning entity.
In relation to the case of Zambia, structural functionalism is relevant in understanding social change. It is relevant in that it provides general guidelines for behavior in terms of norms. These institutions of society such as family, religion, the economy, law and order, the educational and political systems are major aspects of social structure.
A practical example of an institution that is relevant in Zambia is a family. According to Glencoe (1995;114), the family is the first social world a child encounters, and members are the mirror in which children begin to see themselves. It is the first group whose norms and values children adopt as their own and refer to in evaluating behavior. Historical analysis also demonstrates that across time, the family has provided many important functions for society.
Functionalists believe that mass formal education is an essential part of an industrial society, and that expansion of industrial society, and that expansion of the industrial economies brings a corresponding expansion in the education system, they also see the introduction of mass education as a response to the increasing demand of the industry. Educational institutions such as colleges, Universities and schools in Zambia help in the development process of Zambian society. Glencoe (1995:118) adds that in modern society, school is a primary agent for weaning children from home and introducing them to the larger society. He further adds that educational institutions have rules and regulations to control those in there hence not only educating them but giving and teaching them rules that will help them live better lives in society.
The mass media is one institution that is also very vital. The forms that reach large numbers of people in form of, Television, radio, and books are all important in that they contribute in being a watch dog, a channel of communication, an educative means and ways in which people express themselves (ibid). Another example of social change is technology influx in recent years such as email, cell phones and online social networks. Each part of the institutions mentioned and listed does something to serve a function or purpose in the Zambia social change. People who employ functionalism view society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system.
The theory of belongs to a board theories that are referred to as radical theories of development. The theories are further explained in terms of materialism which are dialectical and historical. By materialism Karl Marx meant that the economic structure of society was the foundation or basis on which the whole society is built (Andropove, V: 1983).
In Marxist theories, the division of society into classes is determined by the position within the process of production. Economic development gives rise to these classes and assumes different relationships to the process of production. Marxism hence is the name given to the body of ideas, which in their totality provide a fully worked out theoretical basis for the struggle of the working class to attain a higher form of human society (ibid).
Class consciousness consists of the appropriate and rational reactions imputed to a particular typical position in the process of production. This consciousness is therefore, neither the sum nor the average of what is thought or felt by the single individuals who make up the class. The historical significant actions of the class as a whole are determined in the last resort by this consciousness and not by the thoughts of the individual. These actions can be understood only by reference to this consciousness (Klaus, W:1989).
Karl Marx and Engels state 5 stages in which a human society has to pass through in order for it to develop. These include primitive, feudalism, capitalism, socialism and communism. Primitive society is the first stage of development of human society and arises from the differentiation of man from the animal kingdom (Popkin, H. R: 1986).
Feudalism is the second stage of social development according to Marxism. At this stage, the land lords and nobles comprised of dominant classes and the peasants or serfs that belonged to the exploited class. Capitalism is the third stage and it involves the private ownership of the means of production. In capitalism, there is an emergence of two classes, that is, the bourgeoisies as the owners of capital and the proletariat as the working class (Johari, J: 1989).
Socialism is the fourth stage under Marxism. In socialism, the state has an important role to play on the part of resource allocation. The state is responsible to ensure that all members of society have equal and equitable access to resources. The last stage is Communism according to Marxism. A communist society is one having neither class nor state and all resources in society are equally and equitably distributed. A Communist state can be referred to as a workers paradise. The neo-Marxists on the other hand, after seeing the failure of working-class revolutions in Western Europe after World War I, chose the parts of Marx 's thought that might clarify social conditions that were not present when Marx was alive. They filled in what they perceived to be omissions in Marxism with ideas from other schools of thought. Neo-Marxists view class divisions under capitalism as more important than gender/sex divisions or issues of race and ethnicity. Neo-Marxism encompasses a group of beliefs that have in common rejection of economic or class determinism and a belief in at least the semiautonomy of the social sphere.
From the above information provided, it can be deduced that despite Marxism, and Neo-Marxism and the Structural functionalism having different approaches to social change, they both place an emphasis on the importance of society in which all the members benefit and the how the society develops as it improves on the living conditions of its people.
Both Marxism, and Neo-Marxist and Structural functionalism emphasize that inequality should exist in order for social change to take place. In Marxism bourgeoisie pay the proletariat low wages for their labour. Structural functionalists state that wages must be given to workers in order for them to carry out their work of which in most cases tend to be low. They also emphasize on the need of the use of force in the process of social change. In the Marxist theory, serfs are treated like slaves in that they are forced to do hard work by the land lords despite low wages. Force is used to control the serfs. In structural functionalism, people who go against the norms, values and rules governing a society are to be punished by some administration of justice. In both Marxist, and Neo-Marxist and Structural functionalism, members of society have roles to play in order for society to develop and progress. This means that individuals are significant not only in themselves but also in terms of their position in patterns of social relations.
One of the differences between Marxist, Neo-Marxist and the Structural functionalism is that in Marxism, social change occurs revolutionary while as for structural functionalism, social change occurs evolutionary without conflicts. Marxism holds the belief that in order for social change to take place, conflicts should exist in order for society to progress.
Unlike structural functionalism, Marxism emphasizes on formation of a society comprised of classes. The classes include the serfs and the land lords in feudalism, the proletariat and the bourgeoisies in capitalism. Structural functionalism emphasizes on different parts of society such institutions and organizations working together in order for society to survive while Marxism and Neo-Marxism states that members of society function for their survival and not necessarily for society, for example; the bourgeoisie and the proletariat in capitalism.
Unlike Marxism, structural functionalism does not contain a sense of agency that individuals are seen as puppets only acting as society requires and the most sophisticated forms of functionalism are based on highly developed concept of actions.
In conclusion, structural functionalism better explains achievement of social change in less developed countries like Zambia as compared to the Marxist and Neo-Marxist theories to social change, the Marxist and Neo-Marxist do not offer a valid explanation in the case of Zambia because they advocated for socialism as the ultimate solution towards betterment of society. Structural functionalism may hence be feasible as in the case of the Zambian situation. However, it does not apply to the present day situation because it was used to explain economic situations in most developed countries which can not apply in the case of the Zambian situation.

I

This essay is aimed at comparing and contrasting structural functionalism with the Marxist and the noe-marxist theories to social change, how they best describe social change in less developed countries; in this case Zambia. The paper is to also outline the relevance of the two approaches and come up with one that offers the best approach as in the case of Zambia.
Social change refers to the structural transformation of political, social, cultural, and economic systems and institutions to create a more stable society. It can also be defined as change in social structure, the nature of the institutions, social behavior or the social relations of the society or community of people. When behavior pattern changes in large numbers and is visible and sustained, it results in social change. Once there is deviance from culturally inherited values, rebellion against the established system may result causing change in social order, any event or action that affects a group of individuals who have shared values of characteristics (Herman, Nancy J and Reynolds, Larry T: 1994).
Structural functionalism is defined as a sociological theory that originally attempted to explain social institutions as collective means to meet individual biological needs ( Giddens, 2006).
Structural functionalism to sociological analysis is basically an equilibrium theory. The system is said to be in equilibrium when its component parts are so compatible with each other, denying an outside disturbance, none of them will change its position or relation to others in any significant way. An equilibrium system is said to be stable when a slight change in external conditions creates internal variations whose own effects is equal and opposite to the initial disturbance, thereby moving the system back to its former position of rest. It is said to be unstable when the initial disturbance creates movement that feeds on its relationships, thereby displacing the system further from its original position of rest (Davies, K:1959).
Structural functionalism can also be defined as a sociological paradigm which addresses social functions and various elements of the social system perform in regard to the entire system. Social structures are stressed and placed at the centre of analysis and social functions are deduced from these structures(ibid).
Functionalist believe that one can compare society to a living organism, in that both society and a living organism are made up of interdependent working parts and systems that must function. Functionalists say that the different parts of society e.g family, education, religion, law and order, media etc. have to be seen in terms of contribution that they make to the functioning of the whole society. This organism analogy sees the different parts of society working together to form a social system in the same way that the different parts of an organism form a cohesive functioning entity.
In relation to the case of Zambia, structural functionalism is relevant in understanding social change. It is relevant in that it provides general guidelines for behavior in terms of norms. These institutions of society such as family, religion, the economy, law and order, the educational and political systems are major aspects of social structure.
A practical example of an institution that is relevant in Zambia is a family. According to Glencoe (1995;114), the family is the first social world a child encounters, and members are the mirror in which children begin to see themselves. It is the first group whose norms and values children adopt as their own and refer to in evaluating behavior. Historical analysis also demonstrates that across time, the family has provided many important functions for society.
Functionalists believe that mass formal education is an essential part of an industrial society, and that expansion of industrial society, and that expansion of the industrial economies brings a corresponding expansion in the education system, they also see the introduction of mass education as a response to the increasing demand of the industry. Educational institutions such as colleges, Universities and schools in Zambia help in the development process of Zambian society. Glencoe (1995:118) adds that in modern society, school is a primary agent for weaning children from home and introducing them to the larger society. He further adds that educational institutions have rules and regulations to control those in there hence not only educating them but giving and teaching them rules that will help them live better lives in society.
The mass media is one institution that is also very vital. The forms that reach large numbers of people in form of, Television, radio, and books are all important in that they contribute in being a watch dog, a channel of communication, an educative means and ways in which people express themselves (ibid). Another example of social change is technology influx in recent years such as email, cell phones and online social networks. Each part of the institutions mentioned and listed does something to serve a function or purpose in the Zambia social change. People who employ functionalism view society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system.
The theory of belongs to a board theories that are referred to as radical theories of development. The theories are further explained in terms of materialism which are dialectical and historical. By materialism Karl Marx meant that the economic structure of society was the foundation or basis on which the whole society is built (Andropove, V: 1983).
In Marxist theories, the division of society into classes is determined by the position within the process of production. Economic development gives rise to these classes and assumes different relationships to the process of production. Marxism hence is the name given to the body of ideas, which in their totality provide a fully worked out theoretical basis for the struggle of the working class to attain a higher form of human society (ibid).
Class consciousness consists of the appropriate and rational reactions imputed to a particular typical position in the process of production. This consciousness is therefore, neither the sum nor the average of what is thought or felt by the single individuals who make up the class. The historical significant actions of the class as a whole are determined in the last resort by this consciousness and not by the thoughts of the individual. These actions can be understood only by reference to this consciousness (Klaus, W:1989).
Karl Marx and Engels state 5 stages in which a human society has to pass through in order for it to develop. These include primitive, feudalism, capitalism, socialism and communism. Primitive society is the first stage of development of human society and arises from the differentiation of man from the animal kingdom (Popkin, H. R: 1986).
Feudalism is the second stage of social development according to Marxism. At this stage, the land lords and nobles comprised of dominant classes and the peasants or serfs that belonged to the exploited class. Capitalism is the third stage and it involves the private ownership of the means of production. In capitalism, there is an emergence of two classes, that is, the bourgeoisies as the owners of capital and the proletariat as the working class (Johari, J: 1989).
Socialism is the fourth stage under Marxism. In socialism, the state has an important role to play on the part of resource allocation. The state is responsible to ensure that all members of society have equal and equitable access to resources. The last stage is Communism according to Marxism. A communist society is one having neither class nor state and all resources in society are equally and equitably distributed. A Communist state can be referred to as a workers paradise. The neo-Marxists on the other hand, after seeing the failure of working-class revolutions in Western Europe after World War I, chose the parts of Marx 's thought that might clarify social conditions that were not present when Marx was alive. They filled in what they perceived to be omissions in Marxism with ideas from other schools of thought. Neo-Marxists view class divisions under capitalism as more important than gender/sex divisions or issues of race and ethnicity. Neo-Marxism encompasses a group of beliefs that have in common rejection of economic or class determinism and a belief in at least the semiautonomy of the social sphere.
From the above information provided, it can be deduced that despite Marxism, and Neo-Marxism and the Structural functionalism having different approaches to social change, they both place an emphasis on the importance of society in which all the members benefit and the how the society develops as it improves on the living conditions of its people.
Both Marxism, and Neo-Marxist and Structural functionalism emphasize that inequality should exist in order for social change to take place. In Marxism bourgeoisie pay the proletariat low wages for their labour. Structural functionalists state that wages must be given to workers in order for them to carry out their work of which in most cases tend to be low. They also emphasize on the need of the use of force in the process of social change. In the Marxist theory, serfs are treated like slaves in that they are forced to do hard work by the land lords despite low wages. Force is used to control the serfs. In structural functionalism, people who go against the norms, values and rules governing a society are to be punished by some administration of justice. In both Marxist, and Neo-Marxist and Structural functionalism, members of society have roles to play in order for society to develop and progress. This means that individuals are significant not only in themselves but also in terms of their position in patterns of social relations.
One of the differences between Marxist, Neo-Marxist and the Structural functionalism is that in Marxism, social change occurs revolutionary while as for structural functionalism, social change occurs evolutionary without conflicts. Marxism holds the belief that in order for social change to take place, conflicts should exist in order for society to progress.
Unlike structural functionalism, Marxism emphasizes on formation of a society comprised of classes. The classes include the serfs and the land lords in feudalism, the proletariat and the bourgeoisies in capitalism. Structural functionalism emphasizes on different parts of society such institutions and organizations working together in order for society to survive while Marxism and Neo-Marxism states that members of society function for their survival and not necessarily for society, for example; the bourgeoisie and the proletariat in capitalism.
Unlike Marxism, structural functionalism does not contain a sense of agency that individuals are seen as puppets only acting as society requires and the most sophisticated forms of functionalism are based on highly developed concept of actions.
In conclusion, structural functionalism better explains achievement of social change in less developed countries like Zambia as compared to the Marxist and Neo-Marxist theories to social change, the Marxist and Neo-Marxist do not offer a valid explanation in the case of Zambia because they advocated for socialism as the ultimate solution towards betterment of society. Structural functionalism may hence be feasible as in the case of the Zambian situation. However, it does not apply to the present day situation because it was used to explain economic situations in most developed countries which can not apply in the case of the Zambian situation.

I

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Andropove, V. (1983) Karl Marx and Our Time, Progress Publishers, Moscow.

Davies, K. (1959) The Myth of Functional Analysis as a Special Method in Sociology and Anthropology. American Social Review.

Herman, Nancy J. and Reynolds, Larry T. 1994. Symbolic Interaction: An Introduction to Social Psychology. Altamira Press

Johari, J. (1989) Principles of Modern Political Science. New York Publishers, New York.

Klaus, W.(1989) Beyond Political Independence. New York Publishers, New York.

Popkin, H. R (1986) Philosophy Made Simple, Oxford Press, Oxford.

This essay is aimed at comparing and contrasting structural functionalism with the Marxist and the noe-marxist theories to social change, how they best describe social change in less developed countries; in this case Zambia. The paper is to also outline the relevance of the two approaches and come up with one that offers the best approach as in the case of Zambia.
Social change refers to the structural transformation of political, social, cultural, and economic systems and institutions to create a more stable society. It can also be defined as change in social structure, the nature of the institutions, social behavior or the social relations of the society or community of people. When behavior pattern changes in large numbers and is visible and sustained, it results in social change. Once there is deviance from culturally inherited values, rebellion against the established system may result causing change in social order, any event or action that affects a group of individuals who have shared values of characteristics (Herman, Nancy J and Reynolds, Larry T: 1994).
Structural functionalism is defined as a sociological theory that originally attempted to explain social institutions as collective means to meet individual biological needs ( Giddens, 2006).
Structural functionalism to sociological analysis is basically an equilibrium theory. The system is said to be in equilibrium when its component parts are so compatible with each other, denying an outside disturbance, none of them will change its position or relation to others in any significant way. An equilibrium system is said to be stable when a slight change in external conditions creates internal variations whose own effects is equal and opposite to the initial disturbance, thereby moving the system back to its former position of rest. It is said to be unstable when the initial disturbance creates movement that feeds on its relationships, thereby displacing the system further from its original position of rest (Davies, K:1959).
Structural functionalism can also be defined as a sociological paradigm which addresses social functions and various elements of the social system perform in regard to the entire system. Social structures are stressed and placed at the centre of analysis and social functions are deduced from these structures(ibid).
Functionalist believe that one can compare society to a living organism, in that both society and a living organism are made up of interdependent working parts and systems that must function. Functionalists say that the different parts of society e.g family, education, religion, law and order, media etc. have to be seen in terms of contribution that they make to the functioning of the whole society. This organism analogy sees the different parts of society working together to form a social system in the same way that the different parts of an organism form a cohesive functioning entity.
In relation to the case of Zambia, structural functionalism is relevant in understanding social change. It is relevant in that it provides general guidelines for behavior in terms of norms. These institutions of society such as family, religion, the economy, law and order, the educational and political systems are major aspects of social structure.
A practical example of an institution that is relevant in Zambia is a family. According to Glencoe (1995;114), the family is the first social world a child encounters, and members are the mirror in which children begin to see themselves. It is the first group whose norms and values children adopt as their own and refer to in evaluating behavior. Historical analysis also demonstrates that across time, the family has provided many important functions for society.
Functionalists believe that mass formal education is an essential part of an industrial society, and that expansion of industrial society, and that expansion of the industrial economies brings a corresponding expansion in the education system, they also see the introduction of mass education as a response to the increasing demand of the industry. Educational institutions such as colleges, Universities and schools in Zambia help in the development process of Zambian society. Glencoe (1995:118) adds that in modern society, school is a primary agent for weaning children from home and introducing them to the larger society. He further adds that educational institutions have rules and regulations to control those in there hence not only educating them but giving and teaching them rules that will help them live better lives in society.
The mass media is one institution that is also very vital. The forms that reach large numbers of people in form of, Television, radio, and books are all important in that they contribute in being a watch dog, a channel of communication, an educative means and ways in which people express themselves (ibid). Another example of social change is technology influx in recent years such as email, cell phones and online social networks. Each part of the institutions mentioned and listed does something to serve a function or purpose in the Zambia social change. People who employ functionalism view society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system.
The theory of belongs to a board theories that are referred to as radical theories of development. The theories are further explained in terms of materialism which are dialectical and historical. By materialism Karl Marx meant that the economic structure of society was the foundation or basis on which the whole society is built (Andropove, V: 1983).
In Marxist theories, the division of society into classes is determined by the position within the process of production. Economic development gives rise to these classes and assumes different relationships to the process of production. Marxism hence is the name given to the body of ideas, which in their totality provide a fully worked out theoretical basis for the struggle of the working class to attain a higher form of human society (ibid).
Class consciousness consists of the appropriate and rational reactions imputed to a particular typical position in the process of production. This consciousness is therefore, neither the sum nor the average of what is thought or felt by the single individuals who make up the class. The historical significant actions of the class as a whole are determined in the last resort by this consciousness and not by the thoughts of the individual. These actions can be understood only by reference to this consciousness (Klaus, W:1989).
Karl Marx and Engels state 5 stages in which a human society has to pass through in order for it to develop. These include primitive, feudalism, capitalism, socialism and communism. Primitive society is the first stage of development of human society and arises from the differentiation of man from the animal kingdom (Popkin, H. R: 1986).
Feudalism is the second stage of social development according to Marxism. At this stage, the land lords and nobles comprised of dominant classes and the peasants or serfs that belonged to the exploited class. Capitalism is the third stage and it involves the private ownership of the means of production. In capitalism, there is an emergence of two classes, that is, the bourgeoisies as the owners of capital and the proletariat as the working class (Johari, J: 1989).
Socialism is the fourth stage under Marxism. In socialism, the state has an important role to play on the part of resource allocation. The state is responsible to ensure that all members of society have equal and equitable access to resources. The last stage is Communism according to Marxism. A communist society is one having neither class nor state and all resources in society are equally and equitably distributed. A Communist state can be referred to as a workers paradise. The neo-Marxists on the other hand, after seeing the failure of working-class revolutions in Western Europe after World War I, chose the parts of Marx 's thought that might clarify social conditions that were not present when Marx was alive. They filled in what they perceived to be omissions in Marxism with ideas from other schools of thought. Neo-Marxists view class divisions under capitalism as more important than gender/sex divisions or issues of race and ethnicity. Neo-Marxism encompasses a group of beliefs that have in common rejection of economic or class determinism and a belief in at least the semiautonomy of the social sphere.
From the above information provided, it can be deduced that despite Marxism, and Neo-Marxism and the Structural functionalism having different approaches to social change, they both place an emphasis on the importance of society in which all the members benefit and the how the society develops as it improves on the living conditions of its people.
Both Marxism, and Neo-Marxist and Structural functionalism emphasize that inequality should exist in order for social change to take place. In Marxism bourgeoisie pay the proletariat low wages for their labour. Structural functionalists state that wages must be given to workers in order for them to carry out their work of which in most cases tend to be low. They also emphasize on the need of the use of force in the process of social change. In the Marxist theory, serfs are treated like slaves in that they are forced to do hard work by the land lords despite low wages. Force is used to control the serfs. In structural functionalism, people who go against the norms, values and rules governing a society are to be punished by some administration of justice. In both Marxist, and Neo-Marxist and Structural functionalism, members of society have roles to play in order for society to develop and progress. This means that individuals are significant not only in themselves but also in terms of their position in patterns of social relations.
One of the differences between Marxist, Neo-Marxist and the Structural functionalism is that in Marxism, social change occurs revolutionary while as for structural functionalism, social change occurs evolutionary without conflicts. Marxism holds the belief that in order for social change to take place, conflicts should exist in order for society to progress.
Unlike structural functionalism, Marxism emphasizes on formation of a society comprised of classes. The classes include the serfs and the land lords in feudalism, the proletariat and the bourgeoisies in capitalism. Structural functionalism emphasizes on different parts of society such institutions and organizations working together in order for society to survive while Marxism and Neo-Marxism states that members of society function for their survival and not necessarily for society, for example; the bourgeoisie and the proletariat in capitalism.
Unlike Marxism, structural functionalism does not contain a sense of agency that individuals are seen as puppets only acting as society requires and the most sophisticated forms of functionalism are based on highly developed concept of actions.
In conclusion, structural functionalism better explains achievement of social change in less developed countries like Zambia as compared to the Marxist and Neo-Marxist theories to social change, the Marxist and Neo-Marxist do not offer a valid explanation in the case of Zambia because they advocated for socialism as the ultimate solution towards betterment of society. Structural functionalism may hence be feasible as in the case of the Zambian situation. However, it does not apply to the present day situation because it was used to explain economic situations in most developed countries which can not apply in the case of the Zambian situation.

I

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Andropove, V. (1983) Karl Marx and Our Time, Progress Publishers, Moscow.

Davies, K. (1959) The Myth of Functional Analysis as a Special Method in Sociology and Anthropology. American Social Review.

Herman, Nancy J. and Reynolds, Larry T. 1994. Symbolic Interaction: An Introduction to Social Psychology. Altamira Press

Johari, J. (1989) Principles of Modern Political Science. New York Publishers, New York.

Klaus, W.(1989) Beyond Political Independence. New York Publishers, New York.

Popkin, H. R (1986) Philosophy Made Simple, Oxford Press, Oxford.

Bibliography: Andropove, V. (1983) Karl Marx and Our Time, Progress Publishers, Moscow. Davies, K. (1959) The Myth of Functional Analysis as a Special Method in Sociology and Anthropology. American Social Review. Herman, Nancy J. and Reynolds, Larry T. 1994. Symbolic Interaction: An Introduction to Social Psychology. Altamira Press Johari, J. (1989) Principles of Modern Political Science. New York Publishers, New York. Klaus, W.(1989) Beyond Political Independence. New York Publishers, New York. Popkin, H. R (1986) Philosophy Made Simple, Oxford Press, Oxford.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    A structural-functionalist approach discusses that everyone’s lives are formed from their individual social structures, such as their religion, family, or community. These structures continually form our lives and affect the way we act. These social structures contain social functions which affect the whole society, and these functions are the consequences of the society’s actions and beliefs.…

    • 665 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Functionalism has a macro-structural approach to society. It looks at society as a whole and is known as a consensus perspective i.e. everyone agrees on social norms and values and people work together to maintain society. These norms and values are learned by social institutions such as the family, education, media, religion, law and work. Functionalists believe society is arranged similar to the human body and its vital organs. If one should malfunction, then the others will be affected. This organic analogy keeps society functioning and these institutions have functional dependency on each other. These ideas go back to Emile Durkheim (1858-1917), the French sociologist who is considered to be the founding father of functionalist sociology and whose writings form the basis for the functionalist theory(McClelland 2000).…

    • 2075 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    structural functionalism

    • 1574 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Functional approach to the study of phenomena emerged at first in biological sciences and later on adopted social sciences. Structural-Functional approach in the study of society emerged from the writings of early thinkers like August Comte, Herbert Spencer and Emile Durkheim during the later part of 19th century and became a predominant trend in sociology during the first half of 20th century.…

    • 1574 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Essay Sociology

    • 686 Words
    • 2 Pages

    "Functionalist Perspectives” also known as "Structural-Functional Paradigm”- “The sociological approach that views society as a stable, orderly system. According to this perspective, a society is composed of interrelated parts, each of which serves a function and (ideally) contributes to the overall stability of the society. Societies develop social structures, or institutions that persist because they play a part in helping society survive. These institutions include the family, education, government, religion, and the economy. If anything adverse happens to one of these institutions or parts, all other parts are affected and the system no longer functions properly. As Durkheim noted, rapid social change and a more specialized division of labor produce strains in society that lead to a breakdown in these traditional institutions and may result in social problems such as an increase in crime and suicide rates."…

    • 686 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Structural functionalism argues that society is built on value consensus, which is a shared society of norms and values. They believe in each society, institutions work co-operatively to encourage harmony within society (Hodder. 1994).…

    • 1459 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Introduction of Sociology

    • 294 Words
    • 2 Pages

    * Symbolic Interactionism: According to the symbolic interaction’s perspective, people attach meanings to symbols, and then they act according to their subjective interpretation of these symbols. Conversation is an interaction of symbols between individuals who constantly interpret the world around them. Of course, anything can serve as a symbol as long as it refers to something beyond itself. However, with the example about applying Symbolic Interactionism to U.S. marriages and divorces over time, this perspective just shows the slighting the influence of social forces and institutions on individual interactions.…

    • 294 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Functionalism sees society as a system, that it is a set of interconnected parts which can work together in unison to form a whole. The early functionalists drew an analogy between society and an organism, i.e, the human body. They said that an understanding of an organ of the body involves understanding its relationship with every other organ and its contribution to the organism as a whole; therefore they said that this could also describe society, that every part requires its own analysis to see what it contributes to the society as whole. Functionalists have also continued this argument to say that just like an organ has simple basic needs to survive, so does society, and that if one part fails it will all diminish. Thus social institutions such as the family and religion are analysed as a part of the social order rather than isolated units. 

Functionalist analysis has focused on the question of how social systems are maintained. With the functionalist concern for investigating on how functional prerequisites (basic needs or necessities of existence) are met. This emphasis has resulted in many institutions being seen as beneficial and useful to society. But this view has led critics to argue that functionalism has a built-in conservative bias which supports the status quo. 

Within society the functionalists outline what they call functional prerequisites, these are what society requires in order to exist. Some functionalists believe that these prerequisites are institutions such as family or social stratification. They are easily identified in every type of society even though they can vary, like the caste system in India varies a great deal from our own stratification system but affects the whole society and makes it functional which fits their definition of a prerequisite. This view is held by sociologists such as Davies and Moore (1967) and Murdock (1949). However…

    • 2803 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sociology

    • 3791 Words
    • 16 Pages

    Functionalism is the oldest, and still the dominant, theoretical perspective in sociology and many other social sciences. This perspective is built upon twin emphases: application of the scientific method to the objective social world and use of an analogy between the individual organism and society.…

    • 3791 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    marxism and functionalism

    • 435 Words
    • 2 Pages

    As functionalists are structuralist they see social relationships as governed and organised by rules and patterns. Values provide the general guidelines for our behaviour and are translated into roles and norms. These roles and norms are interconnected across and within the different institutions in society.…

    • 435 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Functionalism is a structural theory they argue that society is made up of interrelated and interdependent institutions such as education, work, religion, law, the family etc. The main function of these institutions is to maintain social equilibrium.…

    • 1094 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In this essay I am going to be looking at two of the main sociological theories; Marxism and Functionalism. In the main body of the essay I will be looking into the history of these theories, when did they become popular and why were they so? I will then make a comparison of the two to see if they contrast, if they do, how so. I will begin by looking at Marxism and secondly Functionalism. I will then be comparing and contrasting the two.…

    • 1470 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Structural Functionalism as defined by Functionolists such as Auguste Comte and Herbert Spencer, believe that society is a whole unit made up of many related parts, each having its own function. In order for society to maintain equilibrium or balance all parts must fulfill their function. If their function is not performed society is in an abnormal state.…

    • 844 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Robbie O’Brien Structural functionalism is the idea that everything that operates in a society has a certain function and role that it plays in order to make a large society work. I think that it can be broken down like a Car. a car has many parts, that all work together in order to make the car go, for example a car has the engine part, but a car won't move without all the other parts that officially makes it a ‘car.’ Just like a society, if we were to just have the giant corporations, and the general public was gone, then we would have no one to buy the goods and society would break down because a major part of it is missing, Now if one part were to break down, and it wasn't as big, for example the car loses one wheel, it will still be able to move, turn, and function, just not nearly as good and it is unsafe. That is what structural functionalism is, the idea that every part has a role that makes society work.…

    • 570 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Functionalism is seen as a macro-scale approach to society; it sees society as a whole rather than looking at parts of it. Due to this, functionalism sees society as a body (organic analogy), all the institutions work together to make society. This is particularly useful when observing society in order to understand the way in which it functions and the way in which all the institutions (organic analogy: organs within the body) work together to sustain society as a whole. Functionalism being a macro-scale approach is therefore seen as a strength as it allows functionalist sociologists to observe society, and its institutions, as a whole. Functionalism is also seen as a consensus theory, it sees society as fair and just, and it acknowledges that many societies, including the majority of western ones, have democracy and all individuals within a particular society share the same or similar norms and values. This could therefore be seen as a strength as it acknowledges that democracy does exist in many societies.…

    • 1163 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Structural functionalists, or functionalists view society as a whole, where each part such as the family, our education, the government, religion, and the economy work together in order to keep all of society as a whole living a sustainable lifestyle. According to Functionalism, society is a system of linked parts that work together to maintain a state of physical balance for all of society as a whole. Functionalists believe that society works together to promote unity and strength and focuses on the social structures that shape society as a whole, and believes that society has evolved like organisms. Conflict theorists, however, are concentrated on explaining and discussing social interaction as a continuous struggle for power and control…

    • 672 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics