How do functionalism and Marxism explain how society works?
The functionalist and Marxist perspectives, including the consensus and conflict views of society, the key ideas of Durkheim, Parsons, Marx and Althusser, and how each explains social institutions.
A focused answer to the AQA GCSE Sociology key concepts topic, comparing the functionalist consensus view (Durkheim, Parsons) with the Marxist conflict view (Marx, Althusser) of how society works.
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What this dot point is asking
AQA wants you to explain and compare the two main structural perspectives: functionalism (a consensus view) and Marxism (a conflict view), using Durkheim, Parsons, Marx and Althusser, and to show how each explains social institutions. These two perspectives are the foundation of the whole course, used as competing explanations in every topic.
Functionalism: the consensus view
Functionalists argue institutions exist because they meet society's needs, such as socialising children, maintaining order and producing the goods society requires. They take a positive, consensus view: because people share the same values (taught through socialisation), society generally works smoothly for the benefit of all. Durkheim stressed the importance of shared values and social solidarity in holding society together, while Parsons developed the idea of society as a system of interlinked institutions each meeting a functional need.
Marxism: the conflict view
For Marxists, the apparent consensus that functionalists describe is really the result of ideology: the ruling class controls the ideas in society through institutions, so workers accept an unequal system as normal and fair (a "false consciousness"). Althusser distinguished the ideological state apparatus (which controls through ideas) from the repressive state apparatus (the police, army and courts, which control through force).
Comparing the perspectives
The two perspectives disagree fundamentally about the same institutions:
- Functionalism sees institutions as positive and benefiting everyone (a consensus that holds society together).
- Marxism sees institutions as serving the powerful and maintaining inequality (a conflict that the powerful manage through ideology).
Both are structural (macro) theories, looking at society as a whole rather than at individuals, which is where they both differ from interactionism. The clearest way to revise them is as a pair: the same institution (say education) is read as beneficial socialisation by functionalists and as ruling-class indoctrination by Marxists.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of AQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
AQA 201912 marksDiscuss how far functionalists and Marxists disagree about the role of social institutions.Show worked answer →
A twelve-mark item assessing AO1, AO2 and AO3. Compare the two perspectives directly.
Functionalists (consensus): Durkheim and Parsons see institutions like the family and education as performing positive functions that benefit everyone and keep society stable, based on shared values.
Marxists (conflict): Marx and Althusser argue institutions serve the ruling class, not everyone. Althusser called education and the media part of the ideological state apparatus that spreads ruling-class ideas to keep workers obedient.
Judgement: they disagree fundamentally, functionalists seeing institutions as good for all, Marxists seeing them as tools of class control. Markers reward both perspectives, named thinkers and a clear comparison.
AQA 20224 marksIdentify and explain one feature of the Marxist view of society.Show worked answer →
A four-mark item: name a feature and develop it.
One feature is that Marxism is a conflict theory based on social class. Marx argued society is divided into the bourgeoisie (who own the means of production) and the proletariat (the workers), who are exploited.
Develop the point: because the two classes have opposed interests, Marxists see society as based on conflict, not consensus, and institutions as serving the ruling class. Markers reward the conflict feature, the two classes and the idea that institutions serve the powerful.
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Sources & how we know this
- AQA GCSE Sociology (8192) specification — AQA (2017)