What is the Difference Between Functionalism and Conflict Theory?

Functionalism and conflict theory are two major theoretical perspectives in sociology that differ in their views on social structure and social order. Here are the key differences between the two theories:

1. Views of Structure and Order: Functionalism emphasizes the role of social institutions in providing stability and maintaining the social order, while conflict theory sees social institutions as causing injustice and domination of the powerful.
2. Consensus vs Injustice: Functionalism focuses on how society establishes consensus, as everyone benefits from everyone else doing their part, while conflict theory emphasizes the ongoing inequality in society and the need for change.
3. Social Control: Functionalism accepts social control as functional to society, while conflict theory criticizes social controls as primarily serving the interests of the powerful.
4. Inequality: Functionalism minimizes the ways in which social institutions contribute to social inequality, while conflict theory emphasizes that the various parts of society contribute to ongoing inequality.
5. Social Change: Functionalism prefers slow social change, as rapid changes threaten social order, while conflict theory sees radical change as key to actualizing an egalitarian society.
6. Key Proponents: Key functionalist thinkers include Emile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons, while conflict theory is influenced by the works of Karl Marx and Max Weber.

In summary, while functionalism focuses on the roles of social institutions in maintaining stability and consensus, conflict theory is more critical of social structures and emphasizes the need for change to reduce inequality and establish a more just society.

Comparative Table: Functionalism vs Conflict Theory

Functionalism and conflict theory are two different approaches used in sociology to analyze society and human behavior. Here is a table summarizing the key differences between the two theories:

Both functionalism and conflict theory are macro theories, which means they attempt to explain how societies work as a whole, rather than focusing on specific individuals or events.