3. SociologicalPerspective
Structure
Functionalism
Building theory
that sees society
parts work
together to
promote
solidarity and
stability".
Symbolic
Framework for
building theory that
sees society as the
product of the
everyday
interactions of
individuals.
Conflict
Framework for
building theory
that sees society
as an arena of
inequality that
generates
conflict and
change.
Feminism
Feminism is
support of social
equality for
women, Men
&Transgender
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Four
Perspective
‘’The special point of view of sociology that sees general
patterns of society in the lives of particular people’’
6. ‘’The functions of politics in society determine its role
and importance as an institution of the social’’
The theory asserts that each of these
structures has a particular function that
supports the establishment of an orderly,
stable system of governance within which
individuals and other societal structures fulfill
roles of their own.
Typical political structures include
• Legislative bodies
• Courts
• Bureaucratic organizations
• Executive bodies
• Political parties
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Functionalist Perspective
7. 7
Durkheim believed that
the purpose of politics is
to socialize people to be
good citizens, to regulate
the economy, and to
provide necessary
services for citizens.
The functions of politics in modern society are also
numerous:
1. Stability and Integrity
2. Function of mobilizing joint activity and its effectiveness
3. Regulatory and management policy functions
4. Rationalization function
5. Function of political socialization
6. Humanitarian function
Dysfunction Functionalists
• Politics as a way to enforce norms and regulate conflict.
• Functionalists see active social change, such as the sit- ins,
boycotts and protests, as undesirable because it forces
change and, as a result, undesirable things that might have
to be compensated for.
8. The pluralist model
‘’The pluralist model is rooted in a functionalist perspective which
assumes people share a consensus on central concerns, such as
freedom and protection from harm, and the government serves
important functions that no other institution can fill’’
Key elements of pluralist political systems include:
• Leaders make decisions on behalf of the people and engage in a
process of bargaining, accommodation, and compromise.
• Competition among leadership groups (such as leaders in
business, labor, education, law, medicine, consumer groups, and
government) protects people by making the abuse of power by
any one group more difficult.
• People can influence public policy by voting in elections,
participating in existing special interest groups, or forming new
ones to gain access to the political system.
• Power is widely dispersed in society; leadership groups that wield
influence on some decisions are not the same groups that may
be influential in other decisions.
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Example:
when the PMLN/PTI in the
Pakistan votes on a policy,
there is debate, discussion, and
voting outcomes can vary
depending on support for the
legislation at hand. In this
structure the voting function is
important and can potentially
change the
10. ‘’In habitual language use, symbolic politics means
a publicly displayed deception or surrogate
action that is used to detract from actual
political reality’’
• Symbolic politics is part of political
communications and, for this reason, an
element of a sense-making process. The use of
symbols in politics is the expression of a fight for
a certain political view of life.
• Symbolic interactionists are most interested in
the interaction between small groups who have
the power to make decisions. The heart of
politics, according to the symbolic
interactionism perspective, is the result of
interactions between individuals and small
groups over time. These meetings produce new
meanings and perspectives that individuals use
to undertake political work.
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Symbolic
11. Symbolic Interactionism
SI focuses its attention on figures, emblems, or individuals that represent power and
authority.
Images that represent the power and authority of the United States include the
White House, the eagle, and the American flag. The Seal of the President of the
United States, along with the office in general, incites respect and reverence in
many Americans.
As micro-sociologists, they are more interested in the face-to-face aspects of politics. In
reality, much of politics consists of face-to-face backroom meetings and lobbyist efforts.
What the public often sees is the front porch of politics that is sanitized by the media
through gate keeping.
Symbolic interactionists are most interested in the interaction between these small
groups who make decisions.
The heart of politics is the result of interaction between individuals and small groups
over periods of time. These meetings produce new meanings and perspectives that
individuals use to make sure there are future interactions.
12. 12
Symbolic Interactionism
SI focuses its attention on figures, emblems,
or individuals that represent power and
authority.
Images that represent the power and
authority of the United States include the
White House, the eagle, and the American
flag. The Seal of the President of the United
States, along with the office in general, incites
respect and reverence in many Americans
13. Conflict theory focuses on the social inequalities
and power difference within a group
• Karl Marx was a seminal force in developing
the conflict theory perspective; he viewed
social structure, rather than individual
personality characteristics, as the cause of
many social problems.
• C. Wright Mills (1956) elaborated on some of
Marx’s concepts, coining the phrase “power
elite” to describe what he saw as the small
group of powerful people who control much of
a society.
• Mills believed the power elite use government
to develop social policies that allow them to
keep their wealth.
• Contemporary theorist G. William Dom off
(2011) elaborates on ways in which the power
elite may be seen as a subculture whose
members follow similar social patterns such as
joining elite clubs, attending select schools,
and vacationing at a handful of exclusive
destinations.
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Conflict
14. Conflict theory focuses on the social inequalities
and power difference within a group
• Karl Marx was a seminal force in developing
the conflict theory perspective; he viewed
social structure, rather than individual
personality characteristics, as the cause of
many social problems.
• C. Wright Mills (1956) elaborated on some of
Marx’s concepts, coining the phrase “power
elite” to describe what he saw as the small
group of powerful people who control much of
a society.
• Mills believed the power elite use government
to develop social policies that allow them to
keep their wealth.
• Contemporary theorist G. William Dom off
(2011) elaborates on ways in which the power
elite may be seen as a subculture whose
members follow similar social patterns such as
joining elite clubs, attending select schools,
and vacationing at a handful of exclusive
destinations.
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