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Compare And Contrast The Conflict Perspective

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In the functionalist perspective, each aspect of the community is dependent on each other and all add to the functioning of society as a whole. A circle of interdependence, the state for example, provides education for the children in a family, which pays taxes that the state depends on to operate. Returning to the family, they depend on the school to properly develop their children so they grow up to have successful careers so they one day have and support their own families. They learn lessons that aid in their understanding of social expectancies. This ensures that they desire to be law abiding, that they pay their taxes and support the government. This creates order. When this means to order is unsuccessful, for example, during a recession, many of the measured enacted to reach this goal are abandoned in an effort for the state or families to constrict their …show more content…

While those focus on the optimistic aspects of society, the conflict perspective focuses on the destructive nature of society. I use destructive instead of constant change due its focus on the negative aspects of society. Unlike functionalists, who believe that we work in a circle of dependency towards balance, the conflict perspective constantly contests the way things are now, encouraging social change to the point of revolution. Conflict Theorist have a strong distaste for the rich believing that the powerful dominate the weak and force order on the poor. A conflict theorist today might ask if the current trend of tactically equipping police forces in black communities across the country for the protection of the community, or a means of intimidating the community into order. Another example: is the NYPD’s official “Stop and Frisk” an unbiased means to control weapons or drugs, or a legal means of oppressing black and Hispanic males through racial

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