The US Sociological Framework and Socialization - Essay Example

The US Sociological Framework and Socialization The American society is complex and diverse. Its complexity lies in the multi-racial composition of its population. The composition of the American society reflects a large presence of black immigrants, which further serves as a threat to the white populace, even with the recent emergence of the president, which has changed the balance of power. Sociological theories such as the pluralist theory, which emphasizes on the activities of groups in the society rather than individuals and the structural-functionalist theory that lays emphasis on the functions of structures in stabilizing the political system, shall be considered in this short paper.

These theories would be used in examining the demographic characteristics in the United States of America and the extent at which it affects the social trend. The pluralist theory is a theory that focuses more on group interaction in the society. Its emphasis is placed on the activities of the different groups or association existing in the society (Schouls, 2004). The United States, being a pluralist state with a diverse race inherent, presents a society that explains the actions of different groups and how they affect decision making in the American community.

Their influence on decision-making processes would be evaluated using the general election that ushered in President Barack Obama, as he represents the black race that is a minority in Americas population, against John Mc Cain who is a white American. The African-Americans present in the United State gave their support to their fellow black compatriot, which opens up a new dimension to the American political terrain, as it was stated in history that a black American has the possibility to rule America (Cole, Hirst & Figgis, 1994).

The structural-functional theory emphasizes on the roles of various structures that are relevant in the society in order to ensure stability (Jayapalan, 2001). The emphasis here is on the ability of various institutions in the society to perform. In every society, several institutions are there to ensure stability. Such institutions include government, family and the church (Jayapalan, 2001). The American governmental institution is structured in a way that allows feedback mechanism when laws made are either good or bad depending on the reactions of the citizens.

The system has been built to make the citizens have confidence in the system. The inter-governmental relationship upholds a federal and democratic process that enables the citizens to participate in politics through various means such as election, and activities through their pressure groups. The family is also an institution that guarantees stability in a political system, as it is the smallest unit of social interaction. The family as an institution has failed in the discharge of its duty, as moral values in the American society are on the decline.

With divorce becoming a major trend in the American family, the essence of the family as an institution that would help stabilize the American society has ultimately failed. From these theories, the impacts of groups and structures cannot be overemphasized in the American society, as it will have an ever-growing effect on the American state, even as the election period gets closer. The influence of the black population in re-electing president Obama or the white population trying to take control of their affairs from the hands of the black race shows the extent at which demographic characteristics can be used to examine social trends.

ReferencesCole, G.D.H., Hirst, P.Q., & Figgis, J.N. (1994). The pluralist theory of the state: selected writings of G.D. H. Cole, J.N. Figgis and H.J. Laski. New York: Routledge.Jayapalan, N. (2001). Sociological Theories. New York: Atlantic Publishers.Schouls, T. (2004). Shifting boundaries: aboriginal identity, pluralist theory, and the politics of self-government. New York: UBC Press.