Inequalities
...questions about society and how it is structured. Some of the main questions answered by these frameworks are how individuals relate to society, how social order is maintained, why inequality exists and how social change occurs in society. Two of the frameworks, functionalist and conflict theory, look at society from a macro point of view with society as a whole. Symbolic interaction comes from a more micro point of view looking at the individual within the society. All three of these theories look at how society is structured whether it is as a whole, fragmented into groups, or on the individual level.
The first theory, functionalist theory, has its origins in the work of Durkheim, who is interested in how social order is possible and how society remains stable. Social order is seen in this theory as everyone having their part to make society work. If everyone did not do their part no matter how big or small society would not work at its best and social problems then occur. Functionalist theory believes that social problems tend to come from instability in the social order, a breakdown in the shared values functionalist believe make up the social order of society.
The second macro sociological theory is the conflict theory. Coming from the work of Karl Marx, this theory looks at society as fragmented into groups that compete for social and economic resources. It is similar to the functionalist theory because it is also looking at society as a whole and how the whole group is shaped. Through this theory social order is seen as being maintained by domination, which comes from those with the most resources, meaning the rich rule the poor.
The third theory, symbolic interaction, looks at the relationships and interactions of people on the individual level. Individuals and society are seen as independent, which is the opposite from the first two theories....
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