What is the purpose of society and its parts? Phin Upham discusses the theory of functionalism.
By attempting to explore/describe aspects of society through the lens of functionalism, one is explaining objects in society in terms of what roles they play. Talcott Parsons, in particular, is not so much dealing with the specifics of society in his piece “The Social System” so much as he is attempting to get under the skin of our social system and explain the necessary and sufficient pieces of society, both large and small, that are combined to make token (specific) societies. Nevertheless, one can analyze this society in terms of the interests and functions of its parts and find that Parsons’ analysis applies. Lukes’s piece on “Power: A Radical View” can be seen to serve as a beginning of a critical view toward functionalism. If people’s interests, i.e. desires and goals, are not only arbitrary, but sometimes manipulated, it becomes very difficult to wholly explain artifices in society as functioning to mediate between interests.
By attempting to explore/describe aspects of society through the lens of functionalism, one is explaining objects in society in terms of what roles they play. Talcott Parsons, in particular, is not so much dealing with the specifics of society in his piece “The Social System” so much as he is attempting to get under the skin of our social system and explain the necessary and sufficient pieces of society, both large and small, that are combined to make token (specific) societies. Nevertheless, one can analyze this society in terms of the interests and functions of its parts and find that Parsons’ analysis applies. Lukes’s piece on “Power: A Radical View” can be seen to serve as a beginning of a critical view toward functionalism. If people’s interests, i.e. desires and goals, are not only arbitrary, but sometimes manipulated, it becomes very difficult to wholly explain artifices in society as functioning to mediate between interests.
[full story: Associated Content]
Phin Upham has a PhD in Applied Economics from the Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania). Phin is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He can be reached at PhinUpham.com.
