Marxist and Functionalist theories of class and inequality

red and Functionalist theories of air division and inequality partitioning AND STRATIFICATIONMarx believed that our connection was in a state of continual contradict between the on the job(p) class and upper class evaluate the bolshy theory of friendly class using Functionalism and postmodernism theories of class.Comp be and lineage red and functionalist expla democracys of class and inequality. at that place are several sociological perspectives and they all in all last(predicate) have different ideas and theories about class and inequality, including loss (Karl Marx a date theory) and Functionalist (Emile Durkheim, Robert Merton a morphologic consensus theory). In this essay I will test the different theories of hearty class from these cardinal perspectives. I will thus conclude by evaluating the Postmodernist view of social class.Marxism was introduced by Karl Marx (1818-1883). Karl Marx believed that bon ton was divided into two classes, the Bourgeoisie (ru ling class) and the Proletariats ( refuse/working class) (Burton, 2013). He believed that that the bourgeoisie utilize and oppressed the proletariat. Marx followed the structural departure perspective and believed that institutions much(prenominal) as education, the media and the legality are used by the bourgeoisie as a federal agency to define and influence social class (Marx, 1818 cited in Blunden, 2013). Marx also believed that capitalism would lead to polarisation of the two classes with the rich getting richer while the suffering get poorer. This polarisation makes it harder for the poorer classes to achieve in life as wholesome as achieving social mobility. He believed that as the capitalist fraternity sophisticated the small business owners would be absorbed by the bourgeoisie and multitheme companies. Marx wanted the proletariat to overthrow the capitalist society of the bourgeoisie and hoped for a classless society where wealth and profit was divided equally ( an on n.da). There has been much criticism on Marxs theory of social class the first being that this theory is much too simplistic in that society can non be based on only two different classes. In a modern society class is not as simple as Marx claimed it was and the communist society that Marx wished for has been tried and failed, Russia is a flush example of this. In addition there are many other(a) divisions within societies that Marx did not consider, such as age, race, gender etc. other major criticism is that Marxs idea if monopolization has not write out to fruition as although there are many large national companies there are also many small businesses as advantageously despite the process of polarisation still occurring in some areas (Anon, n.da). The Marxist theory of class, although it does hold some valid theories, is flawed in that in a modern society there are many processes in place to ensure that workers are not exploited, such as unions and unobjectionable wage s laws. Also in a modern society conflict within the workplace is rare as those who are unhappy do have the option to improve and move up or experience positions, so this would purport social mobility is possible (Anon, n.da).Functionalism was introduced by Emile Durkheim (1858-1917). The main regulation of functionalism is that each part of a society is interdependent and contributes towards making society work as a whole. Each of these parts has to be working correctly but if something does go wrong then society has mechanisms to shroud with them, such as the police and the legal system. Functionalists also believe that every social institution has many important functions to perform (Durkheim, 1858 cited in Burton, 2013). hence stratification is necessary for every society as it service of processs to maintain social order and stability if every part knows its role (Davis Moore, 1945 cited in Anon, n.d). Durkheim introduced the theory anomie, or lack of social averages, th at could cause instability or chaos. This concept bought to light many instances that could affect a society in a negative way and especially the behaviour of individuals towards one another(prenominal) (Emile Durkheim org, 2013). Another concept put forward by Durkheim the sum of all of its parts is larger than the whole, defined at the introduction of the structural/functionalist theory, is as relevant nowadays as it was when first introduced (Gamble, 2008).There has been much criticism on the functionalist explanation of class, the first being that many of the indispensable jobs in modern society are not necessarily rewarded with racy status or income, this is in total contrast to the functionalist belief that those resilient jobs should be rewarded as so. Another big criticism of this approach is that it does not take into account individual departures, in that individuals can make an seismic disturbance within an institution rather than the institution impacting the indi vidual (Anon, n.da). This theory, much homogeneous the Marxist theory, is simplistic in the idea that all of society gestate class inequality and that this inequality is inevitable for society. Postmodernists claim that society has travel on since the modern period and this has been caused by globalisation, the reduction of the power of the nation state, economic changes, fragmented social classes, and relativism, a way of looking at the world that includes every theory as valid. As societies change on a daily basis there are much and more(prenominal) claims that social class is becoming less significant and no yearner a useful tool to measure societies by and some suggest that it is only deficient culture that keeps people in what would be called the lower classes (Burton, 2013). Postmodernist theories suggest that an individuals choice of goods, such as supermarket choices, and lifestyle activities is now a much more important forefinger of an individuals identity. This ident ity is then what creates a persons politics, sexuality and family structure etc. ( pedagogy Forum, n.d). This would then suggest that a postmodernist society is defined by diversity and choice rather than social class. Within the postmodernist theory there is the emphasis on the terminus to which family diversity is changing, the decline in the normal two parent two children families, the growth of single parent families, cohabitation, gay marriage and increasing heathenish diversity. They say there is no longitudinal a fixed family norm that people can refer to (Education Forum, n.d). As society is much more diverse than it was many years ago class is no longer relevant. This perspective believes that there cannot be a single theoretical explanation of society, whether by individual parts or as a whole, as society only exists as a reassuring entity. They argue that in a modern society the mass media plays a huge powerful role in creating the image of what a society should be. P ostmodernists Lyotard and Baudrillard believe that theories such as Marxism and Functionalism are meta-narratives or grand-narratives, meaning they both elaborate that society is under control, and it can be seen in some places that this is not the cutting (lyotard Baudrillard, n.d cited in Anon, n.db).ReferencesAnon. (n.d) Structure for all Essays online. operable from https//www.google.co.uk/url?sa=trct=jq=esrc=ssource=webcd=6ved=0CFwQFjAFurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.edubuzz.org%2Fplhs-humanities%2Fwp-content%2Fblogs.dir%2F1925%2Ffiles%2F2013%2F11%2FEssay-structure-template-SS.docei=nIVRU8T7OsaqPJmugFAusg=AFQjCNGz_J3fJ7oqdNq7u0ai_tVV9Fte9wsig2=XIiq_tawT4LKaqZ3TzGJjgbvm=bv.65058239,d.ZWUcad=rja Accessed on 13th April 2014.Anon. (n.db) Evaluate Post-Modernist Views on Inequality and Difference. Essay online. lendable from http//www.antiessays.com/free-essays/Evaluate-Post-Modernist-Views-On-Inequality-And-486042.html Accessed on 3rd April 2014.Blundon, A. (2013) Marxism online. 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