Compare and contrast the functionalist and Marxist sociological perspectivesGeorge Cobbold

Two of the more renowned perspectives in sociology are functionalism and Marxism. Functionalism is a theory revolving around structure, whereas Marxism focuses on conflict between different classes. Parsons, a functionalist, believed in social institutions (which encourage social solidarity). Another functionalist, Durkheim, believed society could be analysed objectively, not dissimilar to a human body. Karl Marx coined Marxism and held a firm perspective that capitalism separated people into two groups: bourgeoisie and proletariat. These two sociological views can explain society as we know it; however both are of similarities and differences. This essay will explore just how different these perspectives are. /Functionalists see society as being in order, thus if society lost structure (became disordered) it would be a sign of society being sick. Structure can be strengthened in society by value consensus, creating social solidarity. This objective perspective infers that functionalists regard individuals as being produced by society. An example of withholding structure within society is the law system (which deters criminals as well as forcing the same morality on the population keeping it in order). Marxists would disagree with society as being in order because Marxism is a theory of conflict between the classes, as a direct result of capitalism. However, Marxists believe people are deluded to the conflict, having brought into peace and being false conditioned. No one is more hopelessly enslaved than a man who believes he is a free Marx. Marxists believe there are very distinct classes, mainly the bourgeoisie and proletariat, but the conflicts between such classes are hidden.

Functionalists see society operating akin to the human body. Both the human body and society: grow, are interconnected, fight disease (the law system). For example, policing helps make society safer, by removing the illness and abnormalities in society. As the law is nationally accepted it affirms social solidarity, as everyone has clear perimeters of what behaviour is acceptable and unacceptable. However, Marxists believe society is based on class conflict. This pyramid of capitalism revolves around the exploiter and the exploited. Someone is exploited if they perform more physical labour than needed to produce the goods they need. This goes against functionalists human body theory, as the interconnections between the bourgeoisie and proletariat are exploitive.

Marxists see power in regards to wealth. They see classes as being more powerful if they are of affluence (land and production means), thus can afford to employ labourers. They are of greater power because they are employers, therefore hold control over other people, whilst themselves being uncontrolled. If they perform less labour than needed to produce the goods they consume they are an exploiter. However, people who employ labourers as well as perform labour themselves are seldom exploiters (petit bourgeoisie). Functionalists are not concerned with this, showing the differences between sociological perspectives; something as vital and highly concerned about by Marxists is meaningless to functionalists.

Marxists hold the relationship between individuals and society as being controlled by institutions. This means they think the individual is powerless. For example, the educational system combs through the young, preparing them for adult life; often making them adhere to restrictions on behaviour, language and mentality. This structures society because every child, in theory, is conditioned in the same way. Functionalists believe institutions perform socialism. Therefore functionalist and Marxists share similar views to the relationship between the individual and society.

Functionalists believe the main purpose of sociological study is to explain the normal functioning of society. Functionalists see society like a human body. They believe a healthy society is a society that shares value consensus, solidarity (everyone sharing beliefs and efforts) and socialisation. Socialisation is how people are raised and develop their behaviour and morality. Marxists believe the point of sociological study to describe and analyse class conflict; Marxism is a theory of conflicts. Marxists believe the proletariat are exploited through capitalism. For example, Marxists would believe that sociological study would be beneficial for people because most people are disillusioned to their class consciousness. Functionalists and Marxists have very different views; one of calm and one of chaos.

Marxists believe social change is caused by conflict. However they believe that class conflict is ever happening, but most of the time it is hidden. True social chance will occur when class conflict is open. For example, they believe the seeds of revolution and major change will only be planted if people acknowledge their class conscious and gain a deeper understanding of themselves. However functionalists believe change is gradual and evolutionary.

Functionalists and Marxists have astutely different sociological perspectives. Where functionalists see structure and evolutionary changes, Marxists see exploitation and revolution. This is because Marxism is a theory of conflict, and functionalists believe that the functioning of society is akin to the human body. However, their ideology is met in regard to society controlling the individual. Both theories adhere to society influencing (or ruling) individuals. Although functionalism and Marxism both reflect society, Marxs ideas of social consciousness and alienation are ever powerful People are asleep, dreaming theyre awake.