To what extent is the consensus view more useful than the conflict view for understanding society?
Cambridge
O level and GCSE
2021
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Arguments for Consensus View
Shared Values and Socialization
- Societies operate smoothly due to shared values and consensus. - Agencies of secondary socialization, such as schools and families, instill shared norms and values. - Schools teach the hidden curriculum to encourage conformity. - Law and order promote consensus about right and wrong. - Functionalists argue that anomie results from lack of consensus.
Religion and Meritocracy
- Dominant religions foster a shared moral and value system. - Functionalists view society as meritocratic, promoting consensus about stratification.
Arguments against Consensus View
Class Conflict
- Marxists argue that capitalism creates conflict between classes (proletariat vs. bourgeoisie). - Exploitation and profit-making are inherent to the class system.
Gender Conflict
- Feminists contend that society is patriarchal, with women controlled by men. - The conflict between sexes is fundamental and not based on consensus.
Institutional Bias
- Schools perpetuate ideology and reinforce the status quo for working classes. - Law and order are not enforced equally, targeting the working class and overlooking white-collar crime. - Institutions may inherently perpetuate sexism and racism.
Assessment of Usefulness
- Discuss the strengths and limitations of both views. - Consider the extent to which each view provides a comprehensive understanding of society. - Factors to consider include social cohesion, social change, and power dynamics. ## Conclusion - Reiterate the essay question and provide a balanced conclusion. - Summarize the main arguments for and against each view. - State a reasoned judgment on the extent to which the consensus view is more useful than the conflict view for understanding society.To What Extent is the Consensus View More Useful Than the Conflict View for Understanding Society?
The study of sociology seeks to understand how society functions and the complex interplay of factors that contribute to social order and change. Two contrasting perspectives, the consensus view and the conflict view, offer different frameworks for understanding these dynamics. This essay will explore both perspectives, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses in providing a comprehensive understanding of society.
Arguments for the Consensus View
Proponents of the consensus view, primarily drawn from functionalist theory, argue that societal stability hinges on shared values and norms. They posit that institutions like family, education, and religion play a pivotal role in transmitting these shared values across generations. For instance, Parsons (1951) highlights the family's function in socializing children, instilling in them a sense of right and wrong that aligns with broader societal expectations. Similarly, Durkheim (1893) emphasizes the role of religion in fostering social solidarity through shared rituals and beliefs.
Furthermore, functionalists argue that institutions like schools, through the hidden curriculum, subtly reinforce societal values, promoting conformity and a sense of belonging. The law, in this view, is seen as a reflection of collective morality, applied equally to maintain order and stability. This perspective suggests that societal harmony arises from the shared understanding and acceptance of these norms and values.
Arguments for the Conflict View
In contrast, conflict theorists, particularly Marxists and Feminists, challenge the notion of a harmonious, consensus-driven society. They argue that society is characterized by power struggles and inequalities, with dominant groups seeking to maintain their advantage over subordinate groups.
Marx (1867), for example, argues that capitalist societies are inherently exploitative, with the bourgeoisie (owners of production) exploiting the proletariat (working class) for profit. This economic disparity, according to Marx, forms the basis of class conflict. Similarly, feminists highlight the patriarchal nature of society, where men hold disproportionate power and control over women's lives. They contend that institutions, often perceived as neutral, perpetuate gender inequality. For instance, Oakley (1972) argues that the family, rather than being a harmonious unit, is often a site of patriarchal control, with women shouldering the burden of unpaid domestic labor.
Evaluating the Two Views
While the consensus view offers valuable insights into how shared values contribute to social stability, it can sometimes overlook the very real presence of conflict and inequality. Conversely, while the conflict view sheds light on power dynamics and social injustices, it can sometimes neglect the importance of shared values and cooperation that also characterize society.
Conclusion
Ultimately, both the consensus and conflict views offer valuable, though incomplete, perspectives on understanding the complexities of society. A more comprehensive understanding likely requires a nuanced approach that acknowledges both the unifying forces of shared values and the divisive nature of power struggles and inequality. Perhaps a synthesis of these perspectives, recognizing the interplay of consensus and conflict, provides a more balanced and insightful lens through which to study the dynamics of the social world.
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To what extent is the consensus view more useful than the conflict view for understanding society?
Arguments for:
- In general, societies operate smoothly, which is evidence of the importance of value consensus among people. - Agencies of secondary socialization operate across all areas of society, socializing individuals into shared norms and values. - Schools inculcate values into pupils via the hidden curriculum, encouraging individuals to conform to the norms of society. - Law and order are enforced equally, so all share a consensus about what is right and wrong. - Functionalists suggest that without a value consensus, society would experience anomie, as seen in riots, etc. - Families socialize individuals into norms and values, establishing a general consensus about right and wrong among the majority. - Some societies have a single dominant religion, promoting a consensus view of morals and values, with shared religious festivals like Christmas and Easter. - Functionalists argue that society is meritocratic, leading individuals to accept stratification as fair and just. - Any other reasonable response.
Arguments against:
- Marxists argue that the relationship between classes is exploitative, not consensual, with the working class providing profit for the wealthy. - Feminists argue there is a fundamental conflict between men and women in society. - Feminists contend that the relationship between sexes is not based on consensus, but rather women are controlled by men in a patriarchal society. - Schools do not instill consensus via the hidden curriculum, but rather operate ideologically to get the working classes to accept the status quo. - Law and order are not enforced equally, with white-collar crime often ignored while police target the working class. - Many institutions are inherently sexist, perpetuating unequal relations between the sexes. - Many institutions are inherently racist, sustaining unequal relations between different ethnicities. - Marxists argue that a fundamental conflict exists between the upper class and working class (bourgeoisie/proletariat). - Any other reasonable response.