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Strengths and weaknesses of structural functionalism
Explain the themes of animal farm
Strengths and weaknesses of structural functionalism
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Structural Functionalism Structural functionalism is a theory that explains why society functions the way it does by focusing on the relationships between many social institutions that make up society. The animals created commandants that they all had to follow (chapter 2). They also labeled Napoleon as their Leader acknowledging him as the most capable one on the farm (chapter 6). The relationship between the other animals and pigs eventually evolved into that of a servant and master (chapter 10). Social Conflict Social conflict is the major force that drives social change. The animals were tired of being mistreated so some advocated for a rebellion (chapter 2). After the windmill toppled, they were convinced that Snowball was the culprit and all had intentions of capturing him dead or alive in order to justify the destruction of their work …show more content…
The animals created a flag to symbolize the farm as their territory (chapter 3). After the Battle of Cowshed, the animals gathered and created medals for those who showed heroism during the fight (chapter 4). Napoleon started trading agreements with humans in order to procure the materials he needed for the machinery they were going to build as well as more food supplies (chapter 8). Culture Culture is the human-created strategies for adjusting to their surroundings and to those creatures that are part of those surroundings. The animals came to a consensus that a windmill must be built in order to have a more convenient lifestyle (chapter 6). Napoleon decreed that on Sunday, every pig will be allowed to wear a green ribbon and if any other animal were to cross its path, they must step aside (chapter 9). The pigs eventually became the ‘masters’ of the farm and started to create a mutual relationship with humans which went against the fundamental belief of Animalism (chapter 10).
In the article by Jeffrey Reiman, structural functionalism is being used because he speaks about different classes in the social structure upholding a status quo. During structural functionalism. Structural functionalism explains the relationships that social institutions have between society. In response to the article, Reinman compares the elite classes, lower classes interaction and law enforcement.
Under the pigs supervision, animals change the name of the farm to “Animal Farm” and adopt “Animalism” along with “Seven Commandments of Animalism” which are painted on the wall. At first Rebellion seemed to be a success, they harvest and even try to build a windmill, but then the animals realize that as they received less and less food, pigs got fatter and fatter. Napoleon’s leadership becomes a dictatorship. Pigs break the Seven Commandments by their will. For example, one night pigs become drunk and the Commandment, "No animals shall drink alcohol" is changed to, "No animal shall drink
He convinced the animals that Napoleon had their best interests at heart and that he would be like a father and make all the best decisions
“Functionalists use the terms functional and dysfunctional to describe the effects of social elements on society.” These systems can be thought of as productive or destructive based on how they are directly affecting societies. I now see how society is made up of parts that work together, and without these shared beliefs in our society, we could not have developed systems to enforce these beliefs.
Structural Functionalism is the sociology theory that emphasizes how everything and everyone has a purpose in society. That each and every one of us is a puzzle piece that comes together in order to form a society, any missing puzzle piece would result in the downfall or shortcomings of the whole society. Whether this may be religion, education, economy, etc, all of these structures much work together in order to have a flourishing society where everyone works uniformly. Stability is achieved when everyone fulfills their duty is society.
Structural functionalism is a macro-level paradigm that wants to explain the social structural roles. Structural
After the Animal Revolution the pigs take the initiative and place themselves in charge because of their claim of having higher intelligence. Over time this power begins to distort the basis of their revolt by recreating the same social situation they were previously in. “When the pigs takeover they claim that their goal is to preside a farm of equal animals, all working together to support one another, yet power quickly proves too much for a pig.” Though the animals originally took over the farm to increase the animal’s independence as a whole, because of the pig’s superiority they soon take the place of the humans further limiting their independence.
When animals overthrew the men, the governance of whom had long been oppressing them, they finally broke the chains of perpetual slavery. They no longer had to work extremely hard in the excruciating conditions solely for the benefits of cruel and greedy men, but for the benefits of themselves. They attained the freedom they were desperately striving for. The times of abuse and maltreatment came to its end. In these new hope-inspiring conditions the animals set up to establish the farm in which there would be no injustice and suffering, but it would be the place where everybody is equal and happy. They knew that establishing such farm would be extremely difficult, nevertheless the thoughts of giving in never crossed their minds. They gradually, step by step started to overcome all the obstacles and hardships on their way to prosperity. Those hardships made clear that the pigs were the most appropriate for a position of a leader. Indeed, the pigs were most intelligent, it was them who were guiding the animals and giving effective advises in farming. Undoubtedly, had it not been for them, the animals would have starved to death not being able to solve the problems regarding ploughing and harvesting. Under their governance the farm was thriving, there were no quarrels and arguments, every animal was happy and contented with their lives. Unfortunately, it did not last for long, the society which was supposed to be just, and where everybody is equal, transformed into the tyrannical society, where everybody lived under strong oppression and in total misery. The reasons why this transformation happened are manifold. This paper will show the main reasons of this.
The Functionalist perspective is best understood using an organismic analogy: 'Societies are comparable to living organisms (for example, a human being). Each part of the human body is linked, in some way, to all other parts. Individual organs combine to create something that is greater than the sum total of their individual parts.' In social terms, these 'organs' equate to the aforementioned institutions. Each of these institutions has its' separate role, and in order for society to to function effectively, these institutions must work in harmony with each other.
George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a political satire of a totalitarian society ruled by a mighty dictatorship, in all probability a fable for the events surrounding the Russian Revolution of 1917. The animals of “Manor Farm” overthrow their human master after a long history of mistreatment. Led by the pigs, the farm animals continue to do their work, only with more pride, knowing that they are working for themselves, as opposed to working for humans. Little by little, the pigs become dominant, gaining more power and advantage over the other animals, so much so that they become as corrupt and power-hungry as their predecessors, the humans.
Structural Functionalism or what I call just functionalism, is just another theory that has society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. This approach looks at society through the macro-level of orientation, which is a broad focus on the social structures that shape society as a whole, and believes that society has evolved like organisms. This approach looks at both social structure and the social functions. Functionalism has society as a whole in terms of the function of its constituent elements; namely norms and customs, traditions, and institutions. There is a common analogy, popularized by Herbert Spencer that presents these parts of society as "organs" that works towards the proper functioning of the "body" as a whole. In the most basic terms, it simply emphasizes "the effort to impute and the rigorously as possible, to each feature, custom, or even practice the effect on the functioning of a supposedly stable and cohesive system.
The structural theory of Functionalism is a vast perspective in social science which directs to the attention of the social structure of the function and its components. Those components are called norms, values, status and role. Structural theory is also called Macro theory. That theory or perspective enables us to analyze the way our whole society works and fits together. The sociologist TALCOTT PARSONS used a different system of approach. What he done was to view all the different societies as distinguished and able to supply to their own needs without external assistance. T...
The structural-functionalist perspective looks at society as a complex system composed of various parts much like a living organism. Each aspect of society contributes to society's functioning as a whole. Social institutions play a key role in keeping a society stable. All societies need certain things to survive (Newman 2010).
In conclusion, in the novel ‘Animal Farm’, the dream of animals to have a better or a more perfect society, transforms into a totalitarian nightmare mainly due to the actions of the pigs. Yet in a way, the other animals are also responsible for that as they could not stand consistently for their dream. Thus ultimately, they become the victims of the totalitarianism of the pigs and loose their freedom and happiness.
Structural-Functional Theory is a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability (Macionis 16). In laments terms the structural functional theory is the idea that systems in society work together as a body, the idea that customs, traditions, and institutions shape society. This theory is outlined by social structure, social functions, and social dysfunction. Social structure is defined as any relatively stable pattern of social behavior. Social structure shapes and impacts our lives in the workplace, families, college, and classroom. Social functions are the consequences of a social pattern for the operation of society as a whole. Social dysfunction is described as any social pattern that may disrupt the operation of society. The main idea of the structural functional theory is its vision of society as stable and orderly.