conflict and change in sociology

Alvin Gouldner and the Critique of Functionalism

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Introduction Functionalism was one of the dominant theoretical paradigms in sociology during the mid-20th century. Developed most prominently by Talcott Parsons and further refined by Robert K. Merton, functionalism presented society as a system of interrelated parts that work together to maintain order, stability, and equilibrium. However, as the 1960s and 1970s brought waves of … Read more

Contemporary Neo-Functionalism and Jeffrey Alexander

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Contemporary Neo-Functionalism and Jeffrey Alexander

Introduction In the landscape of sociological theory, functionalism has remained a foundational perspective, though not without criticism and subsequent reformulations. Talcott Parsons and Robert K. Merton laid the groundwork for functionalist thought, emphasizing the importance of social systems, institutions, and values in maintaining order. However, functionalism began to face intellectual decline during the 1960s and … Read more