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Contemporary Social Theory - School Essays

Contemporary Social Theory


Two major approaches to are the Marxian materialist
approach and the structural functionalist approach. The materialist approach was developed from the work of Karl Marx, who believed that the economic order shapes society. The functionalist approach was developed from the work of Comte and Durkheim, stating that is the combination of all of society’s institutions that shapes society.
An organic analogy is most often used to explain structural functionalism. The analogy represents society with the human body and social structures and institutions are represented by the body’s organs. For a human being to survive, the body must perform certain functions to solve problems and meet ...

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It is the make up of the interrelated institutions that form society, as the interrelated organs make up the human body.
The materialist approach argues that humans are unique because we can produce solutions for material wants and needs; that material production is the most important human activity (Knuttila, 1996, p.163). It is the way we organize our solutions to wants and needs that shapes society. The manner in which we satisfy our needs is referred to as our modes of production. The modes of production include the tools people use, the technologies society has created, and the acquired skills and knowledge, all in relation to material production. The organization and social relations in material production forms
an economic order and that economic order shapes society. All aspects of society is influenced by the economic institutions.
There are numerous differences between the preceding approaches. A major difference is in viewing the foundations of society. ...

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PAPER DETAILS
Added: 12/22/2007 05:01:29 AM
Category: Miscellaneous
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 597
Pages: 3

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