Question

More wealth was created in the last 30 years than at any time in Canadian history, yet there were significant increases in poverty and food bank use during the same period. How might a structural functionalist explain this trend? How might a conflict theorist explain this trend? Which explanation do you find most compelling?

350 words, please!

Answer 1

Structural functionalism, or, simply, functionalism, is a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. It essentially believes that every society has a relatively persistent, stable structure of elements. Other than this, each society also has a certain function to perform. Every function in the social structure is based on a consensus of values between members.

A conflict theorist on the other hand believes that the society is a competition of a few groups of people for scarce resources. The various institutions within a society create nothing but inequality and conflicts amidst the groups of people. Although a lot of commercial benefit was seen in terms of the expansion in economy for Canada during the period mentioned, it also saw enhancement in poverty and food bank use. A structural functional theorist may claim this as a general persistent state of hierarchy which is necessary for the functioning of a unit due to the stipulated role it plays. On the other hand a conflict theorist may simply claim that this was bound to arise since a certain aspect of the societal structure cannot possibly prosper without the decline of the other. Furthermore, a conflict theorist may argue that institutions and stipulated functions of structures in a society create nothing but a sense of inequality, injustice, discrimination and conflict more often than not. Personally, the theory of conflict seems to be more relatable in this case. This means that one section of the society is less likely to prosper if another doesn’t face a downfall of sorts. This further leads to inequality and unequal opportunities. Loss of middle class jobs was seen as a result of this increased labour market change.