Functionalism (sociology)

The term " functionalism " is used in sociology, anthropology and political science to refer to various normative and empirical approaches.

Sociology and Anthropology

In sociology and anthropology are referred to with this term theoretical approaches that attempt social phenomena to their social function in or for the Company or group concerned to explain back. In the sociological system theory this means that systems a function ( with respect to its environment, or other systems or systems Supra ), it is assumed, and processes and structures can be analyzed therein with respect to this feature.

Become significant are those theories which deal with the necessary framework to secure the current stock of social structures. This is called the structural functionalism.

The most important representatives of social science functionalism are Bronisław Malinowski and Alfred Radcliffe - Brown.

Political science

Functionalism in the context of political science system theories

The rationale of functionalism as a theoretical perspective for the political science goes back to David Easton and Gabriel Almond and is characterized sociologically. The mixture is often used in conjunction with system theory. The basic assumption is that a function is the action or task fulfillment of a part within a system. This performing duties of the individual parts within the system is a prerequisite for system stability within this theory.

Easton sets, as well as the sociological Theo team picture, a model basis, where an environment- input-output -feedback- braid is. The input in this model is to Almond the formation of a political socialization, the clarification of the personnel issues that Represented by stakeholders within the policy and political communication. As output can to Almond a political system be seen, which combines with the legislative, judiciary and executive features of the separation of powers to itself and thus the " rule-making - answendung and binding interpretation of " regarded as a result of this process, in which a certain interaction between the various elements the system is assumed.

Functionalism in international relations

Functionalism also called special theory of political science sub-discipline of International Relations at the function of policies oriented conception of policy making, for example, the merging of states or abandonment of national sovereignty in favor of supranational (supra -national) institutions. This approach can be first found in David Mitrany and Ernst B. Haas. Individual policies are thus gradually - for example, through international treaties and agreements - fused together. This so-called spill-over effects play a crucial role.

Contrary to the postulated functionalism bottom-up is advocated in the theory of federalism, whereby these two concepts are as integration methods clearly against.