How do the consensus and conflict perspectives explain the way society works?
The functionalist (consensus) and Marxist (conflict) perspectives, including socialisation, social order, shared values, capitalism, class conflict and ideology.
A focused answer to the Eduqas GCSE Sociology perspectives topic, covering the functionalist consensus view and the Marxist conflict view of society, with their key concepts and how they criticise each other.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to explain the two structural perspectives that frame the whole course: functionalism (a consensus theory) and Marxism (a conflict theory). You should know what each says about how society works, the key concepts each uses, and how they criticise one another, because you will apply them to families, education, crime and stratification.
Functionalism: the consensus view
For functionalists, socialisation is central: the family and education pass on the shared values that hold society together, much as the organs of a body work together to keep it alive (the organic analogy). Because they focus on how institutions meet society's needs, functionalists tend to see the family, education and even a little crime as positive and necessary.
Marxism: the conflict view
A key Marxist concept is ideology: the ruling class spreads ideas that make inequality look natural and fair, so the working class accepts a system that exploits them (a "false consciousness"). Where functionalists see the family and education benefiting everyone, Marxists argue they really reproduce class inequality and serve capitalism, for example by socialising obedient future workers.
How they criticise each other
The two perspectives disagree sharply, which is exactly what the extended questions reward:
- Marxists criticise functionalism for ignoring conflict and inequality. They argue the "shared values" functionalists describe are really ruling-class ideology, and that society benefits the powerful, not everyone equally.
- Functionalists criticise Marxism for being too negative and for assuming conflict where there is cooperation. They argue that most people do share core values and that society is more stable and consensual than Marxism allows.
Both are structural theories, meaning they explain behaviour by the structure of society rather than by individual choice, which is one way they differ from interactionism. Setting consensus against conflict is the backbone of a strong evaluation in this topic.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas 20184 marksExplain one criticism that Marxists make of the functionalist view of society.Show worked answer →
A four-mark explain item: state a clear Marxist criticism and develop it.
Marxists criticise functionalists for assuming society is based on shared values that benefit everyone. Marxists argue instead that society is based on conflict between two unequal classes, and that the apparent consensus is really ruling-class ideology that makes inequality seem normal and fair.
Develop the point: where functionalists see institutions like the family and education meeting the needs of all, Marxists argue they actually serve capitalism and the ruling class. Markers reward a clearly identified criticism (consensus ignores class conflict and inequality) plus development.
Eduqas 202112 marksDiscuss the view that society works best when its members share the same values.Show worked answer →
A twelve-mark discuss item assessing AO1, AO2 and AO3. Use functionalism for the view and Marxism (and others) against it, then judge.
For the view: functionalists such as Parsons argue that a value consensus, shared norms and values transmitted through socialisation, is what holds society together and keeps it orderly. Institutions like the family and education socialise people into agreed values, producing cooperation and stability.
Against the view: Marxists argue the supposed consensus is really ruling-class ideology imposed on the working class to disguise exploitation, so society is built on conflict, not agreement. Feminists add that shared values are often patriarchal, benefiting men.
Judgement: shared values do help social order, but critics show that whose values are shared, and who benefits, is the key question, so consensus alone is an incomplete account. Markers reward both sides, named perspectives and a supported conclusion.
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Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCSE Sociology (C200) specification — WJEC Eduqas (2017)