They are both structuralist theories, the individual is viewed with less importance than the social structure or organisation of society. Functionalists see society as being made up of interdependent sections, which will work together to fulfil the functions necessary for the survival of society as a whole. They see shared norms and values as being fundamental to society. Functionalists believe that society can be compared to a living organism, in a way that all interdependent parts (organs) must function together in order for the greater society/body to function. Functionalists see society as a group of institutions.
Order and predictability are important if society is to exist. Without mutual understanding, social encounters would be chaotic and demoralizing. Functionalists believe that without collective conscience it is impossible to achieve social and social order is crucial to making sure that the society runs smoothly. Talcott Parson believes that social order is achieved through the existence of shared value system called the value consensus whereby. A culture is a set of norms, values, beliefs and goals shared by the members of society, whereby value consensus is the glue that holds the society together.
Further it contends that individual rights cannot remain intact without a communitarian perspective; that human dignity and the social dimension are recognized equally. How is this possible? Can a system exist in which an individual and society as a whole maintain a mutually acceptable symbiotic existence without infringing on opposing responsibilities? A democratic perspective by its very nature relies on a individuals view on how best to run his given society. A communitarian perspective insist that all members of a community act and react as one, each drawing the same conclusions as the next, and collectively moving towards a mutual goal.
In the position as a student of sociology, I believe the Functionalist theory best describes society. The functionalist theory is viewed to sociologist as society to a living organism. Each part serves an important role in keeping society together. Many sociologist classify this theory as macro-level; large in scale. Including social institutions, a system of behavioral and relationship patterns, having specific roles to perform to make society.
Consensus provides collective agreement and moral consensus maintains social order and stability. What is considered right and wrong behaviour is also agreed and self-regulation is practiced. An analogy can be made between Functionalism and the human body. Each institution is viewed as a vital organ. If one organ develops a problem or fails, the body cannot function efficiently - as all organs are interconnected and interdependent.
According to functionalists, order and predictability is important if a society is to exist. To ensure the society functions accordingly, people have to follow the norms and share common values or value consensus. Functionalists believe that value consensus can constrain and shape humans’ behaviour because people are said to be passive and they conform to sanctions whereby rewards will be given for practicing good behaviour (positive sanction) and punishments await those who commit deviant behaviour (negative sanction). Emile Durkheim argues that society is bigger than individuals and more vast . Individuals learn to desire what the society provides and in doing so, they internalise the roles given to them.
Structural functionalism is a theory that is used to describe a society that functions on a few key assumptions. First, society is constructed by interdependent system of parts. Second, no part can be understood individually, that is to say that the system as a whole cannot be understood if one part is missing. Third, social order between individuals and organizations of society has to share norms and values in order for society to function properly. Fourth, social change does not occur rapidly, instead it is a regulated process which ensures that citizens and organizations adapt to social change properly.
Durkheim’s functionalist theory -Functionalists see society as based on value consensus (members of society sharing common culture). -Culture: Set of shared norms (rules), values, beliefs and goals shared culture produces social solidarity and binding people together. -Functionalists argue there are two mechanisms needed for society to achieve solidarity: Socialisation: instils the shared culture into its members ensuring we internalise the same norms and values, and meet society’s requirements. Social control: mechanisms include both + & - rewards for conformity and deviance, ensuring we behave the way society expects. The inevitability of crime -Functionalists see too much crime as destabilising society; they also see crime as inevitable and universal.
In other words, reality is not fixed, it is socially constructed. Social construction of reality was introduced by Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann to identify the process by which people creatively shape reality through social interaction. Human worlds are socially produced, changed and modified. And as one person presents himself in terms that suits his purpose and as other do the same, a complex reality emerges. People become social through the process of socialization-lifelong social experience by which individuals construct their personal biography, acquire daily interactional rules and patterns of their culture.
Perry and Wise defined public service motivation PSM as “an individual’s predisposition to respond motives grounded primarily or uniquely in public institutions”. The main principles of PSM are attraction to public policymaking, commitment to the public interest and civic duty. I do not consider appropriate to extend myself in the value and limits of PSM. Just mention that PSM is a tool that mitigates the principal agent problems, in combination with the other strategies proposed here, it will decrease other potential problems. In general terms, the advantage of implementing this strategy in the social contract is that agents will respond to the incentives of altruism, solidarity, conscience, and government reputation, recovering the idea of public ethos.