Sociology for A-Level: 2.1: Consensus theories by Roberts

Discussion in Groups:
- Review six statements and identify agreement or disagreement.
Categorise statements based on whether they suggest:
- Society operates best with shared values (Consensus view).
- Society benefits some more than others (Conflict view)

Definition: Consensus theories in sociology emphasise agreement among members of society on fundamental principles, shared norms, values, and beliefs.
Purpose: To make social life predictable and ensure social order by facilitating cooperation among individuals.
Examples:
- Schools and Colleges:
  - Both understand the roles of teachers and students, and their shared goal is student learning.
- Social Institutions:
  - Institutions work together to meet societal needs. For example:
    - Schools educate students who will become future workers, thus fulfilling economic needs.

Definition: A major consensus theory that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.
Origins: Rooted in the work of early sociologists like Emile Durkheim.

Social Solidarity: The sense of belonging to a collective community; crucial for a functional society.
Anomie: A state of normlessness where individuals feel disconnected from the collective norms of society due to rapid social changes (loss of values).

Socialisation's Role: Emphasises the transmission of shared norms and values through key institutions.
Institutions Mentioned:
- Family: Socialises children and provides emotional support.
- Education System: Equips students with the necessary skills.
- Mass Media and Peer Groups: Reinforce societal norms and values.

Concept: Society is likened to a human body; different parts (institutions) function similarly to organs.
Example:
- Lungs provide oxygen (families socialising future workers).
- Kidneys eliminate waste (similar to economic systems providing goods/services).

Definition: Functionalism, as a structural theory, evaluates how societal parts interact and contribute to societal functions.
Functions of Institutions:
- Families: Socialize children, provide security.
- Religion: Fosters social solidarity through collective practices.

Functional Prerequisites (AGIL):
- Adaptation (A): Institutions enabling society to adapt to its environment.
- Goal Attainment (G): Institutions that set goals and organize efforts to achieve them.
- Integration (I): Institutions that unify society's components (e.g., religious organizations).
- Latency (L): Institutions that maintain cultural values and norms across generations.

Influence: Dominant sociological perspective until the 1950s, particularly adept at analyzing cooperation within society.
Critiques:
- Fails to account for societal conflict.
- Assumes equal benefits for all societal members, overlooking power discrepancies.
- Ignores multicultural complexities in conflicts over issues like gender roles and cultural acceptance.

Definition: A political stance, not a sociological theory.
Origins: Ideas from liberal economists such as Adam Smith, who argued for minimal state intervention in free markets.
Key Concepts:
- Free Market: Economy should self-regulate through supply and demand; prices fluctuate based on competition and consumer needs.
- Neo-liberalism: Revival of Smith's ideas advocating for reduced governmental control over economic activities, exemplified by economic theorists like Friedrich Hayek.