Comparison of Marxism and Functionalism

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Created on: 02-03-13 19:18


	Comparison of Marxism and Functionalism
	Similarities Both are DETERMINISTIC approaches, seeing individuals as passive and controlled, as if like puppets, by society. Both theories are IDEOLOGICAL, stating that society is maintained by systems of prevailing ideas and beliefs. Both Marxism and functionalism argue the importance of SOCIALISATION in the maintenance of society. The STRUCTURE of society shapes us as individuals not vice versa. Both theories are MACRO-PERSPECTIVES- studying the whole of society. Both theories suggest a degree of SOCIAL OBJECTIVITY. They reify society suggesting that it moves under its own force, it is not reliant on humanity. Functionalism and Marxism agree that social life operates on the principles of CAUSE AND EFFECT. Everything within society is caused by something else. Both theories are POSITIVISTIC. They emphasise empiricism and a belief in the scientific study of society.	Differences Marxists see society as having a material structure and emphasises economic determinism whereas functionalism sees society as based on shared culture and emphasises cultural determinism. Marxism believes that culture is an instrument of social control and a source of power for the dominant class. However, Functionalists believe that culture is a means of institutionalising people into the shared norms and values. Marxism emphasis socialisation into a capitalist society only benefits the ruling class. However, functionalism argues that socialisation is the mechanism by which value consensus is formed, allowing social order and stability. Marxism looks at how material rewards, such as capital, are distributed in order to look at society. Functionalists look at how individuals are socialised in order to understand society. Marxists believe that norms of society are influenced by economic factors, however, functionalists argue that it is the norms that determine the structure of society. Marxism is a conflict perspective whereas functionalism is based on consensus. Marxism is inherently pessimistic about the ability of a capitalist society to improve whereas Durkheim believed that modern society could resolve it's own problems.
	Overall comparison The most important thing to note is that both theories are macro-structural perspectives that hold a deterministic view of society. However, Marxism is based on economic factors whereas functionalism emphasises the importance of socialisation, shared culture and value consensus. Always note that Marxism is a conflict perspective and Functionalism based on consensus.

Comparison of Marxism and Functionalism

Similarities

Both are DETERMINISTIC approaches, seeing individuals as passive and controlled, as if like puppets, by society.
Both theories are IDEOLOGICAL, stating that society is maintained by systems of prevailing ideas and beliefs.
Both Marxism and functionalism argue the importance of SOCIALISATION in the maintenance of society.
The STRUCTURE of society shapes us as individuals not vice versa.
Both theories are MACRO-PERSPECTIVES- studying the whole of society.
Both theories suggest a degree of SOCIAL OBJECTIVITY. They reify society suggesting that it moves under its own force, it is not reliant on humanity.
Functionalism and Marxism agree that social life operates on the principles of CAUSE AND EFFECT. Everything within society is caused by something else.
Both theories are POSITIVISTIC. They emphasise empiricism and a belief in the scientific study of society.

Differences

Marxists see society as having a material structure and emphasises economic determinism whereas functionalism sees society as based on shared culture and emphasises cultural determinism.
Marxism believes that culture is an instrument of social control and a source of power for the dominant class. However, Functionalists believe that culture is a means of institutionalising people into the shared norms and values.
Marxism emphasis socialisation into a capitalist society only benefits the ruling class. However, functionalism argues that socialisation is the mechanism by which value consensus is formed, allowing social order and stability.
Marxism looks at how material rewards, such as capital, are distributed in order to look at society. Functionalists look at how individuals are socialised in order to understand society.
Marxists believe that norms of society are influenced by economic factors, however, functionalists argue that it is the norms that determine the structure of society.
Marxism is a conflict perspective whereas functionalism is based on consensus.
Marxism is inherently pessimistic about the ability of a capitalist society to improve whereas Durkheim believed that modern society could resolve it's own problems.

Overall comparison

The most important thing to note is that both theories are macro-structural perspectives that hold a deterministic view of society. However, Marxism is based on economic factors whereas functionalism emphasises the importance of socialisation, shared culture and value consensus. Always note that Marxism is a conflict perspective and Functionalism based on consensus.

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Comparison of Marxism and Functionalism

Comparison of Marxism and Functionalism

Similarities

Differences

Overall comparison

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