Compare the Functionalist and Marxist Views on Social...

CRITICALLY COMPARE MARXISM AND FUNCTIONALISM IN THE WAY EACH PERSPECTIVE CONCEPTUALIZES THE PHENOMENON OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION. Social stratification refers to the presence of distinct social groups which are ranked one above the other in terms of factors such as prestige and wealth (Haralambos Holborn, 2004). Those who belong to a particular group or stratum will have some awareness of common interests and a common identity. They also share a similar lifestyle which, to some extent, will distinguish them from members of other social strata (Lenski, 1984). Social stratification involves a hierarchy of social groups and they either enjoy or suffer the unequal distribution of rewards in society as members†¦show more content†¦These provide the preconditions for the emergence of a class of producers and a class of non-producers (Haralambos Holborn, 2004). According to Marx, the relationship between the major social classes is one of mutual dependence and conflict. The wage laborers must sell their labor power in order to survive since they do not own a part of the means of production. They are therefore, dependent for their livelihood on the capitalists and the wages they offer. The capitalists are dependent on the labor power of wage laborers, since without it there would be no production. This relationship however, is one of an exploiter and exploited or oppressor and oppressed. As such, the ruling class gains at the expense of the subject class which leads to a conflict of interest between them. From a Marxist perspective, capital, which is the money used to finance the production of commodities, is privately owned by the capitalist class. Marx believes that this capital is gained from the exploitation of the working class (Haralambos Holborn, 2004). This he further argued, produced nothing as only labor was capable of producing wealth; yet still the wages paid to workers are well below the value of the goods they produce. Therefore the capitalists realize a surplus value or profit. The bourgeoisie are therefore exploiting the proletariat who are the real producers of wealth. Marx maintained that in all societies, the ruling class exploits and oppresses the subject class. According toShow MoreRelatedCompare the Functionalist and Marxist Views on Social Stratification1734 Words   |  7 PagesCRITICALLY COMPARE MARXISM AND FUNCTIONALISM IN THE WAY EACH PERSPECTIVE CONCEPTUALIZES THE PHENOMENON OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION. Social stratification refers to the presence of distinct social groups which are ranked one above the other in terms of factors such as prestige and wealth (Haralambos Holborn, 2004). Those who belong to a particular group or stratum will have some awareness of common interests and a common identity. They also share a similarRead MoreSocial Stratification According to Marx and Weber1163 Words   |  5 PagesSocial stratification is the hierarchical arrangement of individuals into divisions of power and wealth within a society. Social stratification relates to the socio-economic concept of class, consisting of the upper class, middle class, and lower class. Each class may be further subdivided into smaller classes through the main indicator is occupation. This is the most practical and most effective means of encompassing the wide variety of economic and social elements that go to make up a person’sRead MoreCompare and Contrast Functionalist and Marxist Theories of Stratifica tion.1537 Words   |  7 PagesCompare and Contrast Functionalist and Marxist Theories of Stratification Stratification is the separation of society into layers which are distinguished by unequal rewards and life chances and many systems of stratification have been based on slavery, caste and feudalism. Slavery, being the oldest and most extreme form of stratification, involves the enslavement or ownership of others. This ownership came about as a result of conquest, trade, kidnapping, hereditary status or the repayment ofRead MoreDiscuss Marxism and Functuionalism and Compare1133 Words   |  5 PagesCompare Marxist and Functionalist Perspectives Compare and Contrast Functionalist and Marxist Perspectives Sociology is a systematic way of studying the social world. It seeks to discover the causes and affects of intercommunication and interaction that arise in social relations. The science of society was developed as a discipline in the 19th Century by Auguste Compte, a French philosopher. For him, common sense and the obvious would not suffice; he wanted to build scientific theories basedRead MoreTheories of Education2587 Words   |  11 Pages------------------------------------------------- Compare and contrast Functionalist and Marxist theories of Education in Society. The role of education in society has an important effect on society by way of transmitting cultural values and contributing to the social stratification or class system. Functionalists also referred to as consensus theorists believe education helps stability and functioning of society, whereas conflict theorists namely the Marxists see education as justifying and promotingRead MoreSociology of Education1597 Words   |  6 PagesSociology of Education This assignment will compare and contrast competing theoretical perspectives on education process. Functionalism, Marxism and interactionist theories will be included. The definition of education is that it is a process or the act of gaining or teaching general knowledge; it is an act that assists in the development of reasoning as well as judgement and generally preparing oneself or others the intellectuality for mature life. Functionalism in essence deduces each part ofRead MoreCompare and Contrast Any Two Sociological Theories and Briefly Evaluate Them.2079 Words   |  9 PagesCompare and contrast any two sociological theories and briefly evaluate them. In the following essay I am going to compare and contrast the theories of marxism and functionalism, looking at the topics of the family and education. 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 socialRead MoreCompare and Contrast Marxist and Weberian Theories of Stratification1525 Words   |  7 PagesQ: Compare and Contrast Marxist and Weberian Theories of Stratification. The purpose of this essay is to compare, contrast and critically evaluate Marxist and Weberian theories of stratification. To do this effectively this essay must explain and consider the main features, claims and perspectives of both Karl Marx and Max Weber. O’Donnell (1992) defines social stratification as â€Å"the division of a society or group into hierarchically ordered layers. Members of each layer are considered broadly equalRead MoreSocial inequality is a necessary evil of capitalist society‚Äà ¹. Please comment with the reference of the sociology perspectives being discussed in the lecture and textbook.2012 Words   |  9 Pagesï » ¿2. Social inequality is a necessary evil of capitalist society†. Please comment with the reference of the sociology perspectives being discussed in the lecture and textbook. Social inequality exists in every society, no matter it is capitalist society or communist society. Yet, referring from three of the sociology perspectives, it proves that social inequality is a necessary evil of capitalist society. Capitalism affects the whole situation of different countries on different aspects, examplesRead MoreTraditional African Family19679 Words   |  79 Pagestime needed and the appropriate Introduction Sociological perspectives page references from Sociology Themes and Chapter 1 Social stratification Perspectives. (Clicking on the ‘handout’ button will Chapter 2 Sex and gender take you Chapter 3 directly to ethnicity and nationality The Race, the appropriate handout.) handout can Poverty be copied for the class. then to and social exclusion Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Health, medicine and the body The lesson plans are designed to be flexible. They Chapter 6 Crime