![]() A functionalist scholar looks into the consequences or effects of events, acts, and operations upon the equilibrium of a system. Functions resulting from structures like bureaucracy or courts may or may not be proving helpful for the persistence of a political system. ‘Function’ is a neutral term which frees a system, its structures, and activities performed therein from assuming an essential or traditional relationship, interdependence, or teleology. ![]() It is different from its popular use it is used in place of ‘basic needs or conditions or necessities of a system, being organismic and value-laden. However, as effect, activity, consequences, influence, or contribution toward a system, ‘functions’ by nature are general, transitory, varying, and abstract. Particular meaning and its use depends on the functionalist himself. Thus ‘function’ as such has many meanings. Functionalist explanation requires (a) a phenomena to be explained, (b) a system in which the phenomenon occurs, and (c) a stipulation of the consequences of the phenomenon for the total system. Function, in brief, subsumes activities or actions operating in a system, or influences thereof. It relates to operations pertaining to persistence or a situation where in more than one actor or event may be involved. It is the contribution of some elements to the system or its maintenance at a given state. ‘Function’ can also be considered as persistent relationship or its influence on the unit or system. Levy explains it as ‘any condition, or state of affairs resultant from the operation of a unit in terms of a structure through time’. Radcliffe-Brown describes it as recurrent actions. ‘Function’ connotes many meanings, such as, conditions or needs or basic processes or activities or necessities required for the maintenance of a system For Merton, ‘function’ is observed consequences. In the structural-functional approach both are viewed from the point of their contribution to maintain the system. The essence of functional approach is the system maintaining activity while structures performing this function remain secondary. Structures, such as, limbs, habits, organisations, groups, etc. System :Ī system, according to Cohen, is ‘any ongoing set of recurrent and interrelated social actions.’ The system is primary. Its main concepts are: system, function, and structure. In this approach, a scholar analyses what functions are being performed by what structures to maintain the equilibrium of a political system. (3) Functions contribute to the balance, health, or equilibrium of the system. (2) The system or structures perform certain requisite functions and (1) Every society is a well-integrated system consisting of relatively persistent and stable structures Structural-functional approach involves that: Holt, ‘the social system is the system of interdependent roles and corporate structures of the society’.” Scholars may put emphasis on either functions, or structures, or both. Society is conceived as ‘a system of functionally inter-related variables’. Certain patterned and recurrent processes keep up the functionally integrated system in equilibrium. ![]() It describes the order of determinate relationships of structures and functions of a system, including its processes and mechanisms. It is a variety of functionalism involving the study of both functions and structures of a system. Structural-functional approach is a holistic perspective which studies society or system as a whole and with a view to its maintenance. ![]()
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