ipl-logo

Functionalist Theory Of Class Analysis

1892 Words8 Pages

According to the Oxford dictionary class is “a system of ordering society whereby people are divided into sets based on perceived social or economic status” (OD, 2017). The term class is however, a complicated term which is used in many ways. Different analyses of the term have been done under functionalism and structuralism. Functionalism studies different part of society and their functions. Structuralist theorists are interested in identifying and analysing the structures that underlie all phenomena. Functionalists believe that each part has a unique function which contributes to the stability of the society. They see class in a positive way. According to them, the presence of classes promotes hard work in society and only the best can reach to the top. Conflict theories, such as Marxism and feminism focus on power struggles and differences, for example, class conflict, and for the most part question historical ideologies. It is a macro level critique and study of society (Collins, 1971).
Many sociologists and thinkers have defined the class in different ways. Marx defined class in terms of the political and economic structures of power, he believed that power came directly from economic and political conditions and the people with power usually exploit the ones without power. He divided society into three classes the bourgeoisie, the petty bourgeoisie and the proletariat (Grant, 2001). In the communist Manifesto, Marx mentions the two main classes of society that are

Show More
Related

  • Czar Nicholas And The Romanov Dynasty

    1227 Words  | 5 Pages

    1. Communism: Communism is defined as the political and economic doctrine that aims to replace private property and a profit-based economy with public ownership and communal control of at least the major means of production and the natural resources of a society. This form of government is important because it is backed by the idea of pure equality and is known for being the highest, most advanced form of socialism. Communism fueled the leaders of the Russian Revolution, such as Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, and Leon Trotsky. When Lenin was called into power after Nicholas II’s abdication, he immediately introduced Communism as Russia’s new form of government.

    Read More

  • Central Texan Sustainability

    841 Words  | 4 Pages

    According to Marx society was divided into two classes that were in eternal conflict in the battle for resources, or as Marx coined; “the means of production”. The first class were the bourgeoisie, which Marx described as the sole owners of the means of production as well as the media. The bourgeoisie used their power and influence to exploit the second class, which Marx called the proletariat which consisted of all the workers of the world. Marx rejected the idea that the wealthy pulled themselves from their own bootstraps, which he called “false consciousness” and in return coined the term “class consciousness”, which referred to a persons awareness of their own social status, especially in terms of class conflict. Overall, Marx concluded that social order is created maintained by domination and power.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Show Me The Money By Walter Mosley

    549 Words  | 3 Pages

    We will define wealthy, middle, working, and poor or poverty classes. How does someone know where they fit into the class system? Is it their education or the job they have? Or maybe is it if they have their own business?

    Read More

  • Racism In 21st Century America

    478 Words  | 2 Pages

    Class is a social system of hierarchy based on economic wealth. Joseph O. Jewell, author of Race, Social Reform, and the Making of a Middle Class: The American Missionary Association and Black Atlanta, 1870-1900, explains class as to “exist in large part as cultures-shared set of rules, ideologies, or

    Read More

  • Difference Between Functionalism And Conflict Theory

    727 Words  | 3 Pages

    When discussing functionalism and conflict theory, one has to look at the beliefs of the theorists who created and contributed to these theories. One of the main theorist behind functionalism was Emilie Durkheim, while Karl Marx was the main proponent of conflict theory. These two theories both view society as a system of social structures and agree that these social structures exist within a society. However, they differ greatly in that functionalism views society as a large system working together for the good of the people.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Structural Functionalism

    809 Words  | 4 Pages

    By way of example, all three of the theoretical perspectives notably have idiosyncrasies about one another. As an illustration, structural functionalism is defined as Due to the fact that society consists of vital parts and systems they work in unison with each other to run smoothly. The people in the society contribute in myriad areas of interest in the process of structural functionalism. David Claerbaut states that these areas of interest, incorporate into society with: religion, economics, education, politics and family. On the other hand of living among each other actively working to create a seamless community we have the conflict theory.

    Read More

  • Essay On Social Classes In America

    608 Words  | 3 Pages

    I believe social classes have defined our society in many ways. In America, they separate people into three different classes: the upper class, middle class, and the lower or working class. Based on wealth and various occupations, social classes determine the population’s status in society. Social classes today define individuals and influence their actions. Although people born in a certain class may choose to stay there, they also have the choice of leaving.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Marxism And Functionalism On Education

    1088 Words  | 5 Pages

    Marxism Vs Functionalism Inroduction: This essay will discuss the Marxist and Functionalist approaches to education. The essay will likewise examine the two main concepts of sociology and the education system. The way in which Marxists and Functionalists compare education is important within society. The structure and processes of education systems are related to the general process of socialization (Markedbyteachers, 2014). Socialization is how an individual participates in society.

    Read More

  • The Father Of Capitalism And Marxism By Karl Marx

    1140 Words  | 5 Pages

    Capitalism, according to Karl Marx is divided into two major social classes: the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat. The Bourgeoisie, which is the minority of the class system, own the means of production such as land, machinery, factories and raw materials whereas the Proletariat, which is the majority of the class system, having no means of their own production and have to work to earn wage for a living. Karl Marx has his own theory that history is made up by class struggle which he mentioned in his book – Manifesto of the Communist Party: “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.” (Marx and Engels, 1848) and had predicted that the Proletariat would lead a revolution to overthrow the Bourgeoisie. Karl Marx believed that there will be intrinsic conflict like exploitation, alienation of labour and commodity fetishism between both of the classes.

    Read More

  • The Communist Manifesto By Karl Marx And Frederick Engels

    947 Words  | 4 Pages

    “In ancient Rome we have patricians, knights, plebeians, slaves; in the Middle Ages, feudal lords, vassals, guild-masters, journeymen, apprentices, serfs; in almost all of these classes, again, subordinate gradations” (Manifesto, 1848). In the Communist manifesto, Marx discusses the class type of his time, bourgeois and proletariat. The bourgeois were the higher class who exploited the proletariats. They constantly strived to expand their power and wealth in society.

    Read More

  • What Is Karl Marx Theory Of Exploitation

    1074 Words  | 5 Pages

    According to Edwards et al. (2006) Marx thought that within capitalism there would be an increased divide between the bourgeoisie class and the proletariat class in the future. The proletariats are lower of the two classes, the people who have to work for wages in order to survive. The bourgeoisie are the people in society who controlled and owned the means of production in a capitalist system.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Marxism And Feminism

    1143 Words  | 5 Pages

    Holland Arrowsmith explains Marxism as a term which refers to “a hugely diverse set of social, economic, philosophical, historical and cultural theories”. Several theories such as social, economical, political and critical theories have been derived from Marxism philosophy. Marxism advocates equality amongst the class structure of society. Marxism is divided into two fundamental classes. According to Marx there are only two classes which exist: Bourgeoisie, which means powerful or dominant class and Proletariat, which means the peasant or working classes.

    Read More

  • Karl Marx And Class Conflict

    1486 Words  | 6 Pages

    Class conflict, Marx believed, was what encouraged the evolution of society. To quote Marx himself, The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles. Freeman and slave, patrician and plebeian, lord and serf, guild-master and journeyman, in a word, oppressor and oppressed, stood in constant opposition to one

    Read More

  • Class Inequality: Class Conflict And Conflict In Society

    793 Words  | 4 Pages

    Class struggle is a conflict in a particular society or between a society which is caused by the lack of unity in one society and different perspective of a different group in a society. It is also called class conflict or class warfare. One social issue of a class struggle is the social inequality. According to study.com, Social inequality is an inequity of social class, award, opportunities, religion, position in the community, social status and at some other point respect in a group of society.

    Read More

  • Class Struggle In Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights

    2773 Words  | 12 Pages

    CHAPTER 3 CLASS STRUGGLE Generally class struggle means conflict between the upper class and lower class the idea of Class struggle is long-used mostly by socialists and communists, who define a class by its relationship to the means of production such as factories, land, and machinery. From this point of view, the social control of production and labour is a fight between classes, and the division of these resources basically involves conflict and causes damage. Societies are socially divided based on status, wealth, or control of social production and distribution, and in this division of class conflict arises. It is important to know Karl Marx theory on class struggle; he viewed the structure of society in relation to

    Read More

More about Functionalist Theory Of Class Analysis

Open Document