Qn. How classical sociolojist Theories relate to our environment?
Question: How classical sociologist Theories relate with our everyday life?
INTRODUCTION
. Meaning of social
theory
. Meaning of
sociological theories
MAIN BODY
. Conflict theory
. Functionalism
theory
. Feminist theory
CONCLUSITION
REFERENCES
Social theories are theoretical frameworks
which are used to study and interpret social phenomena within a particular
school of thought. Examples of social theories are conflict theory, positivism
theory, and anti-positivism theory (http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/social-theory)
Sociological theory is defined as a set
of interrelated ideas that allows for systematization of knowledge of the
social world. This knowledge is used to explain the social world and make
prediction about the future of the social world (Robert O. Keel, 2011).
Sociological theory are complex
theoretical and methodological frameworks used to analyze and explain object of
social study. Examples of sociological theories are conflict theory, critical
theory, feminist theory, functionalism theory, and rational choice theory (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/introduction-to-sociological-theory)
Therefore, sociological theory can be defined as a
complex theoretical framework that is used to explain social theories through
empirical formula (scientific method) and making judgments.
Classical sociological theories are
those modern theories that is based on empirical evident aiming to solve
problem of society for benefit of the future and present, and it developed by
various scholar in the 1800s and 1900s. Examples of scholars who developed
these theories are Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, Auguste Comte, Max Weber, and
Mary Wollstonecraft.
Therefore, it is true to say “classical social
theories are not just historical narratives but they are tools for sense that
they play a veto role in dealing with social issues”. The arguments of these
statements are present on the following theories:-
CONFLICT THEORY
Conflict theory was the theory
introduced by Karl Marx and his friend Fredrick Engel’s in the book “Communist
Manifesto”, 1848, (George Ritzer and Douglas J. Googman, 2004c). And later Conflict theory was elaborated in the
United Kingdom by Max
Gluckman and John Rex, in the
United States by Lewis
A. Coser and Randall Collins, and in Germany by Ralf Dahrendorf,
but all of them were influenced by Karl Marx, Ludwig Gumplovicz, Vilfredo Pareto, Georg Simmel, and
other founding futhers of European sociology.
Conflict theory
argues that society is not best understood as a complex system striving for
equilibrium but rather as a competition. Society is made up of individuals
competing for limited resources (such as money, leisure, sexual partners, and
so forth). Broader social structures and organizations (such as religions,
government, etc.) reflect the competition for resources in their inherent inequalities; some
people and organizations have more resources (i.e., power and influence) and use
those resources to maintain their positions of power in society (http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/conflict-theory).
According to Karl Marx (1818-1883), in any societies there are two major
social groups: a ruling class and a subject class. The ruling class derives its
power from its ownership and control of the forces of production. The ruling
class exploits and oppresses the subject class (lower class). As a result there
is a basic conflict of interest between these two classes.
Karl Marx (1848), in his book Communist
manifesto said “The history of the
hitherto existing society is the history of class struggle. Freeman and slave,
patrician and plebian, lord and serf, guild-master and journey man, in a word,
oppressor and oppressed, stood in constant opposition to one another, carried
on uninterrupted, how hidden and now open fight, a fight that each time ended
in a revolutionary reconstitution of society at large, or in common ruin of the
contending class” (Shankar Rao, C. N., 2006).
Karl Marx here mean that, at any
stage of history there is a conflict between “they have” and “they have not”.
When exploitation increase and affecting much the class of “who have not” or
workers by “they have” or “government controller”, the lower class in order to
fulfils their needs, they require to overthrowing the existing government by
revolution.
Karl Marx’s conflict theory is
used and being applied today’s life in interpreting a variety of some relationships
such as labour union for various working conditions, gender relations, marriage
relations, political conflict, race and tribal relations, and human right
matter.
By taking political conflict as
example, the case of Arabian countries including Bahraini, Egypt, Libya,
Tunisia, Yemen, and Syria case, the theory of conflict theory being applied.
The case of Bahraini, The Al-Khalifa
Sunni ruling dynasty has dominated the political in Bahraini Island
for 200 year. The wind of the change in Arab World in 2010/2011 inspired the
majority Shiite to protest by marching from Pearl Square to prime minister’s office.
The people of Bahraini wanted the fall of the regime including the removal the
rule of King who dominated for 40 years.
Within this government of Al-Khalifa,
characterized by annexations of wealth by the family of King, and also there
were discrimination in provision of services and political participation to
other members of the country. Also 2/3 of the cabinet member were members of
the family of Al-Khalifa’s. And political prisoners 300 were sentenced before
the rise of revolution in this country.
Therefore, due to this
Al-Khalifa’s dynasty as explained above which has ruled for 200 years, they
wanted to removal and implementing elected government whereby they fell it will
be good government to them. The impact of this revolution was realization of
all 300 political prisoners to come back their home from exile without any
conditions (The Guardian News, Monday, February 28, 2011).
Also, taking Tanzania as
example, there is some resistances or conflict in some regions including Mbeya,
Arusha, Tabora and Mwanza which involved struggle between Hawkers
(“wamachinga”) against police/ JKT or existing government. The main reasons for
Hawkers movement were poor government system, policy and badly punishment. So,
all this reasons influenced the Hawkers to demonstrate against existing
government under President Jakaya M. Kikwete, (Mwanahalisi News, No.268,
Wednesday, November 16-22, 2011).
Thereafter those movements
against Tanzania Government, done by Hawkers, our government allowing them to
continuing with their trade, hens today they continuing with it.
All in all, conflict theory rose
when exploitation of capitalist and existing government being increase to lower
class or workers, and the exploitative in order to reduce and removal those
kinds off injustice, they require forming movements and overthrowing existing
government.
CRITICISM
Even though Karl Marx’s conflict
theory applied and having a lot of benefit to workers, but failed to explain
how to prepare the leaders who will be control the government after
overthrowing the existed government. Good example is the case of Egypt Today,
thereafter overthrowing existed government under President Hosein Mubarack, but
there is no leaders who control the government instead of Egyptian military.
This is what happening in Tunisia
and Libya
today.
FUNCTIONALISM THEORY
Functionalism theory is one of the theories introduced by Emile
Durkheim (1855-1917) and Herbert Spencer (1820-1903). Functionalism focus on how elements of society need to work
together to have full function. Functionalism
is the broad perspective in sociology and anthropology which sets out interpret
a society as a structure with interrelated parts (http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/social-structure
).
In short the theory of functionalism regard society as an
integrated whole and tries to explain how the relationship among the part of
society are created and how that part are functional (meaning having beneficial
consequences to the individual and society) and dysfunction (meaning having
negative consequences). This is according to Howard and Dunaif Hattis (1992).
The functionalism theory sees society as a complex system whose
parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. So, this means our
social lives guided by structure which are relatively stable patterns of social
behavior (Macionis, 1997).
According to anthropologists
Radchiff Brown and Bronslaw Malinowki, explain the functionalism in two
contexts which are structure structural functionalism and psychological
functionalism.
Structural functionalism
stresses the characteristics of society and its structure over the individuals,
and how the various elements of social structure function to remain social
order and equilibrium (to make society as equal). And psychological
functionalism stress individual need to be met by society.
Herbert Spencer (1820-1903),
explained functionalism theory in the side of society whereby said, the society
work as “organs” that work toward the proper functioning of the body as whole.
According to him, compared society work as like organs of human being such as
brains, hearts and other parts of body works. Example is that, government
depending much on citizens and citizens depend on government.
Durkheim sought functionalism is
to understand how institutions maintained the equilibrium and cohesion of
society. Emile Durkheim explained it in terms of religious how works. He argued
that religion is one of social institution in the society which has main three
function aiming to unite people and live together peaceful.
These functions of religious
analyzed by Durkheim are social cohesion (unites people through shared symbols,
values and norm, through establish rules (such as Islamic laws), speaks
eloquently about love and it play both moral and over emotion ties), providing
meaning of purpose (especially serving calamities and drought), and lastly is
social control based on mores relating to marriage and reproduction, and submit
problem to God.
Also functionalism theory works
in our society through our families. Family is a basic institutions which
uniting people and work together. In our families, father and mother play a
great role on socialization where by norms and values being passed to children.
Also, functionalism theory plays
part on education, government, and also used on performance of any organization
that can be government organization and non-government organization).
Therefore, this is who functionalism theory works in our society by uniting
people work together and creating society as egalitarians.
CRITICISM
All scholars discussed the
theory of functionalism including Emile Durkheim based on creating the society
as egalitarians, but they failed to explain how to create the society to be
equal. Also they had forgotten that, in any society there are two classes such
as “who have and who have not”. And we are in capitalism stage which now is
imperialist stage, whereby all major means of production such as industries are
under few peoples. So by that way it is impossible to build society as
egalitarian.
FEMANIST THEOY/ FEMANISM THEORY
Feminist theory is the extension
of feminism into theoretical or philosophical discourse; it aims to understand
the nature of gender inequality in the society. Feminist theory examines
women’s social roles and lived experience. Also it is concerned with equality
between man and women and equal opportunities, and freedom for all women around
the world (http://www.en.wikipedia.org.wiki/feminist-theory
).
Feminist theory is the theory
that women are just as good as men and deserve to be treated equal under the
law. We deserve the same pay for the same work, and women can do anything man
do (http://Answers.ask.com/society/history/what-is-feminist-theory).
General feminism theory is the
theory based on emphasizing gender inequality between man and women, and the
main aim is to create women and men are equal in any aspect in our society.
This theory emerged early 1792 (-1920) when various scholars started to
struggle for women rights.
Feminist theory emerged in the
eighteen century, and feminist were concerned with extending the central
concept of classical liberalism the doctrine of individual freedom to apply to
women as men (Seidman, 1994 p.10)
One of the founders of feminist
theory was Mary Wollstonecraft, writing in 1792, refers to liberal framework,
in which rationality was identified as essentially human, and argued that it
was irrational not to apply to women too. Wollstonecraft added that in order to
avoid segregation, non-segregation education should be introduced to allow
women develop their minds. She said, all of society would reap the benefit of
harnessing women’s talent, which was otherwise going to waste. (Bilton,
Bonnett, Jones, Lawson, Skinner, Stanworth, and Webster, 2002).
According to Wollstonecraft
(1792), proposed that “in order to generate female, we should removal all
obstacles created by man to women.
Other scholar who explained
about feminist theory was Charlotte Peaking Gilman who explained about gender
inequality and how this goes to affect directly women. And also, Betty Friedan
(1965), struggled to removal discrimination of women on legal, political,
education, and labour market.
According to Marxist feminism,
believes capitalism is the factors which lead to women oppression in the
society. Michele Barrett (1981), argued that the household was fundamentally
shaped by the needs of capitalism, and identified the family as the crucial
site of women oppression. Also he added that, women oppression arises from
engage unpaid work in the household and outside home.
All these kinds of oppression
continue even today, but it is not a same as previously. In order to solve
problem of gender inequality, we apply this theories by tracing back what
methods used in order to removal any kind of inequality in today’s life.
That’s why today we see how our
government emphasizing women empowerment by involving them on political issues
like parliament. In Tanzania
parliament we have a policy of 50 by 50 percent, which means to have equal number
between elected women and men in parliament. This is one of the policies
introduced by president of Tanzania Dr.
Jakaya. M. Kikwete in 2005.
Even though the policy is not
yet succeed but we have a lot of women in Tanzania parliament and some are
leaders such as Halima Mdee, Pr. Ana Thibaijuka, Anna kilango, and Anna
Makinda. All this are the impact of feminist theory which applied in Tanzania.
Also, feminist theory helped Tanzanian women to form various unions such as
TAMWA (the unification of Tanzanian Women Journalist) which dealing with the
right of Tanzanian women journalists.
CONCLUSION
All these three theories explained above have
a lot of advantages in our society. This rational have seen when a theory
applied in our society. The impacts of these theories are bringing changes in
our society. All development we see such as women empowerments is the result of
feminist theory. Also, improvement of standard of living people is the impact
of conflict and functionalism theory. Due to that I argue that “classical
social theories are not just historical narratives, but they are tools for
sense that they play a veto role in dealing with social issues”.
REFERENCES
Macionis, J. J. and
Plummer, K. (2008), Sociology “A Global Introduction”, 4th Edition,
London, Pearson Education Limited.
Ritzer, G. and
Goodman, J. D. (2004c), Sociological Theory, 6th Edition, University
of
Maryland & Puget Sound, McGraw
Hill Publisher
Schaefer, R. T.
(2008), sociology Matters, 3rd Edition, New York, McGraw Hill Pub.
Shankar Rao, C.
N. (2006),Sociology: a principles of sociology with an introduction to
Social thought, 6th
Edition, Indian university, Rejendra Ravindra and S. Chand
Press.
McGree, R. J. and Warms, R. L. (2004),
Anthropological Theory; an introductory history,
3rd
Edition, Southwest
Taxas State
University, McGraw Hill
Press
Zerihun Doda (2005), Introduction To Social
Cultural Anthropology, Debub University,
EPHT (Ethiopia
Public Health Training Initiative) Press
Bilton, T., Bonnett, K.,Jones, P, Lawson, T.,
Skinner, D.,Stanworth, M.,and Wedster, A.
(2002), Introductory Sociology, 4th Edition, New York, Palgrave
Macmillan Press
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/conflict-theory/24/12/2011/09:26Am
modified on 19 December, 2011 at
21:47 by Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike License.
http://web.grinnell.edu/courses/soc/500/soc/intro-theory/conflict.htm/24/12/2011/8:58Am by Kent Mcclelland, last modified
2/21/2000.
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