Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Social Inequality
Functionalism and Conflict Theory
The structural-functional approach is a framework that views society as a complex system with interconnected parts working together to promote stability. This approach focuses on social structure, which are stable patterns of social behavior, and their social functions, the consequences of these patterns for society.
Key Figures in Functionalism
- Auguste Comte: Emphasized the need for social unity during times of change.
- Émile Durkheim: Established sociology in French
Life Story Research: Methods, Focus, and Contributions
Life Story: A Qualitative Research Method
The life story method is based on biographical data, focusing on the individual’s experiences and life trends.
Focus of the Life Story
The primary focus is on a single person’s journey.
Key Aspects of a Life Story
The most important elements are the individual’s life journey and the trends within it.
Is Life Story Research Scientific?
Yes, it is based on empirical data, objective documents, photos, monuments, and personal experiences.
Contributions of the Chicago
Read MoreConstitutional Court Rulings on Language Models in Education
The Constitution’s silence on the school language model has allowed the Constitutional Court to rule in favor of two approaches. The special nature of this matter and the different socio-linguistic circumstances of the “bilingual territories” of Spain would not make it appropriate to exchange these formulas and apply a single solution across the country. Different linguistic realities cannot have unique solutions.
Not in all cases of language contact is it desirable or possible to pursue integration
Read MoreSpanish Restoration: Political Stability, Social Conflicts, and Literary Response
The Spanish Restoration: A Period of Transformation
The return of the monarchy ushered in a new era of political stability, characterized by a power-sharing dynamic between two prominent leaders, Cánovas and Sagasta. This system initially fostered stability, growth, and international engagement, allowing Spain to regain some standing in Europe. However, this progress also led to increased urbanization, industrial expansion in Catalonia and the Basque Country, and a rise in social conflicts.
Social
Read MoreThree Schools of Thought on Democracy’s Rise
1. Modernization Theory
This theory posits that economic development leads to democracy. Key aspects of this development include:
- Free Market
- Secularization
- Urbanization
- Industrialization
Democracy is seen as a result of social and economic modernization, which spreads globally due to globalization.
Seymour Martin Lipset, in his seminal 1959 work “Some Social Requisites of Democracy: Economic Development and Political Legitimacy,” argued that modernization is a universal experience. As the world modernizes,
Read MoreUnderstanding Administrative Acts and Secondary Statistical Sources
The sources of administrative acts are exhaustive, providing information on all the specific administrative acts made, not a sample or part of the total data. The National Institute of Statistics (INE) provides sources with records of deaths, causes of death, etc. However, as its aim is not to produce knowledge, little additional information is collected that could help explain the reported administrative act itself, making this analysis difficult. For example, registering a death is an administrative
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