A Critical Outline of the Main Features of Functionalism

Sociology, the study of society; has been adapted by many sociologists so as to put across their own theories. The most important Sociologists of the early 19th century were Emile Durkeim, Karl Marx and Max Weber; a common factor with all these men is that they were all influenced by the world in which they lived.
I intend to, throughout this essay, explain these three different theories, evaluate them and also critically outline their main features.
The Functionalist sees society as built up and working like the human body, made up of interrelated parts, which function for or contribute to the maintenance of society as a whole. (Cited: Browne.K. 'Introducing Sociology', 2002). Functionalists are concerned with how the different parts of society contribute towards the whole. All members of society are imposed with common values and norms. Marxism sees the overall structure of society primarily determined or influenced by the economic system, the means of production, such as the land, factories and offices necessary to produce societies goods. …