Key Aspects of Social Theory - Essay Example

? Social Theory Introduction Social issues at any level can be observed through three major sociological viewpoints ly conflict theory, functional analysis and symbolic interactionism. These viewpoints provide notional paradigms for explaining how different social issues influence the activities of people in a society. One of the key social issues, which have a considerable impact on American society, is racial discrimination. The essay describes the key aspects of three viewpoints and analyses the social issue, i.e. racial discrimination from one theoretical viewpoint. Each viewpoint uniquely conceptualizes society, social force and activities of individuals in a society. The Conflict Viewpoint of Society Conflict theory observes society where people are engaged in continuous struggle for securing adequate amount of resources. It is a macro approach of viewing society as it deals with the collaboration of numerous cultural groups who fight in order to acquire power. For instance, conflict theory inspects how and why the gap between wealthy and poor individuals has impacted on quality of education, healthcare and lifestyle among others. The rich people can afford better accommodation and have a tendency to live with people of similar status, whereas the poor individuals are forced to live in distinct areas. Due to this reason, the cost of living increases in the areas where wealthy people live for gaining better education and better housing. As a result, it enhances their prospect of success. Conflict theorists advocate that once inequity starts to take roots, those at the high social status are unlikely to drive for social change. The conflict theory is criticized on the point that it demonstrates negative perspective of society. This theory eventually points philanthropic efforts, selflessness, classlessness, civil rights and other positive aspects of society in order to control the masses, rather than to preserve the interests of masses (Pearson Education, 2013). The Functionalist Perspective of Society Functional theory observes every component of society as an inter-reliant aspect which supports the functions of society. It defines society as a structure of interdependent elements. It is also a macro approach of viewing society which emphasizes entire social system. For example, in a society, government provides education to children who in future pay taxes to the government in order to keep the society running. Thus, according to functional viewpoint, if anything occurs in one element of society, the other elements will automatically step in so as to restore balance. For example, if the system goes well, the other components of the society can help to maintain order, constancy and efficiency. Functional theorists consider that society is managed by social harmony where people agreed upon and perform cooperatively for accomplishing the best possible outcome. For instance, during economic crisis, there was a high rate of unemployment. Hence, in order improve the situation, government expenditures were reduced, educational programs offered by universities were trimmed and families had tightened their budget. As a result, a new social order and stability had taken place in the society. The functional perspective was criticized for overlooking the adverse activities of social events. This viewpoint explains the status quo and does not inspire individuals to take actions in order to transform the social environment (Pearson Education, 2013). Symbolic Interactionist Perspective of Society Symbolic interaction theory concentrates on how individual connections between people have an impact on the behavior as well as the society. Unlike conflict theory and functional theory, this paradigm is regarded as a micro approach since it deals with people rather than groups. Symbolic interaction theorists evaluate how social communication stimulate, generate and maintain human relationships. They believe that symbols such as body language, words, signals and imageries can have an impact on communication. According to the viewpoint of symbolic interaction, individuals attribute values to symbols and perform according to the independent understanding of these symbols. For example, in verbal communication words act as a prime symbols and thus make the independent understanding exclusively evident. The spoken words have certain meaning for the sender and throughout communication and they possess similar meaning for receivers. However, it is also criticized that symbolic interaction neglects macro level of social interpretation, i.e. it ignores the big picture of the society. As a result, symbolic interaction theorists often miss the larger aspects of society by emphasizing closer view (Pearson Education, 2013). Theoretical Analysis of Racial Discrimination Racial discrimination is regarded as different treatments given towards the members of different races. Racial discrimination pervades numerous aspects of society. It can be found in economic accomplishment, i.e. income, prices and credit facilities or in social relationship such as marriage and residential location among others. The social issue of racial discrimination can be defined by using conflict theory (Arrow, 1998). Racial Discrimination from Conflict Perspective According to conflict theory, fights and struggles are key aspects of social life where people are engaged in constant competition and disagreement over the accomplishment of individual objectives and scarce resources. As every person demands scarce resources and power, they are always in scuffle for power. Those having power continues to strive to maintain their supremacy by dragging those without having power. Since the colonial era, people started to categorize different individuals into diverse races mostly by their skin color. Race in this context is socially constructed category and racial discrimination is the creation of human beings, rather than an eternal and vital category. The notion of racial structure is the totality of social relations and such practices that underline white privilege. Racial structure is established in order to pull down the power of black or other low status group people. In the US, after 19th century, due to increased immigrants, the competition for scarce resources increased considerably. Accordingly, government started racial formation and divided the population into two main racial groups namely whites and blacks. Racial formation is a socio-historical procedure by which racial categories are created, populated and transformed. It is simultaneously a clarification, demonstration and description of racial dynamics and an effort to rearrange and reallocate resources along specific racial lines. Hence, racial discrimination provides the opportunity for whites to demolish the power and rights of the black or other race. Furthermore, by dividing people within races, organizations are able to make more revenue from racially categorized working people. Since the bargaining power of black colored individuals is decreased in racial discrimination, the white employers can recruit them at an inexpensive rate and can gain maximum from their efforts (Makalani, 2001). In racial discrimination, the unprivileged races are kept on discriminated, having low power on competing for resources with the whites and thus allow whites to be in a dominant position while utilizing the resources in society. Popular conflict theorists stated that in modern society, capitalism strains conflict between people of different races. The pursuit of wealth and money has corrupted the society and can ultimately lead to the destruction of present race system. Thus, according to conflict theory, the economic authority must not lie in the hand of certain specific races such as elite group, rich people or white individuals, but in the hand of every person. Nevertheless, racial equality is impossible in the existence of corruption. Besides, unequal distribution of resources in terms of racial discrimination can lead to social unrest. Thus, on the basis of conflict viewpoint, the present racial society cannot sustain because of the intention of gaining short run rewards and ignoring the long run outcomes (Arrow, 1998). Conclusion There are numerous sociological theories which explain the reasons behind social issues such as poverty, discrimination and racism. The present sociological theories concentrate mostly on explaining the existence of social phenomenon. The three major sociological viewpoints are conflict theory, functionalist theory and symbolic interaction theory, each possessing individual descriptions of a particular social issue namely racial discrimination. In accordance with conflict theory, racial conflict is intrinsic and is the central element of society. Thus, proper policies must be developed in order to ensure fair condition for different races. References Arrow, K. J. (1998). What has economics to say about racial discrimination? Journal of Economic Perspective, 12(2), 91-100. Makalani, M. (2001). A biracial identity or a new race? The historical limitations and political implications of a biracial identity. Souls, 83-112. Pearson Education. (2013). The study of social problems. Retrieved from http://www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/hip/us/hip_us_pearsonhighered/samplechapter/0205733093.pdf Read More