Sociological paradigms
Key words sociological paradigm, structural paradigm, conflict paradigm, symbolic paradigm
Structural-functional paradigm can be described as a special framework that can be used for building a theory. According to this theory, the society is seen as a complex system that is comprised of many parts. The main objective of these parts of the system is to promote solidarity and stability within the system.
Structural -Functionalism (SF) uses a number of the important ideas. According to the first idea, the society can be described as a well-structured social system. This system is comprised of a whole set of the interlocking parts that are sometimes referred to as structures.
The system has to meet 4 basic needs of the people. These needs can be defined as external needs and the internal needs. Special institutions are designed to meet the main needs of the system. The major need of the system is the adaptation. According to the research, the adaptation belongs to the major benefits of the natural, physical and material world.
The other important feature of the system is goal attainment. Goal attainment is very important when we are reviewing the functioning of the political system.
Integration is one more feature of the paradigm. Integration is a very important process that helps people to maintain a balanced social control over the processes that take place within the system. The system is comprised of a whole set of formal and informal institutions. The functioning of these institutions is regulated by Law, Religion, and Media.
Pattern maintenance is an important feature of the system. The other important feature of the system is socialization. A particular feature of the system is its commitment to preserving human values.
This commitment occurs despite of the fact that the society has to meet a number of the important objectives. (Korgen, White 9)
There are four sets of institutions or social structures. These institutions and social structures are operating at different levels. When to analyze the actions of the individuals I can say that the actions of these people are tied to meeting a number of the important objectives. When people are entering the political and economic systems they are learning the new Roles. Role is the SF concept, and is often associated with the number of important features and meanings.
The new roles and role-sets can be obtained through internalizing the Culture. Setting the values and social norms help to change the informal social rules of the overall system. The current society can be seen as a single organism that is able to help people to adopt themselves to the current changes in the society. The current system is comprised of numerous parts. All of these parts help to make the society function as a single organism. This organism helps people to adapt themselves to the new circumstances of the changing world. The current system is comprised of a whole set of structures. The key concept upon which the structural paradigm is based is the concept of power. This concept is very important and helps to strengthen social consensus among the people. (Korgen, White 11)
Structural Functionalist Paradigm
The structural-functional paradigm was frequently used as a framework for building theory. According to this theory, the society is viewed as a complex system that is comprised of many parts. All these parts are connected and work together to promote solidarity and stability of the system.
The name of the theory is partially self-explanatory. The theory accentuates on the importance of social structures. This system is characterized by a relatively stable pattern of social behavior.
Social structure has a number of particular features. These structures often shape the life of the families and people, who attend a certain workplace, college, or a classroom. The main objective of the paradigm is to look for any social functions of the given structures. The malfunction of the system provides society with the list of the important advantages and opportunities. The changes of the system can change the way the society operates.
All social patterns are related to complex religious rituals. The main objective of these rituals is to keep the society functioning in a proper manner. In general, the main objective of the system is to maintain its present form. Structural functionalism had a number of initiators. Among the initiators of the structural functionalism is Auguste Comte, who was the main initiator of the structural-functional paradigm. In the course of his research, Auguste Comte, pointed out to the need to promote social integration. This process played a particularly important role during the period of rapid change.
Emile Durkheim is the main researcher who has helped to establish sociology in French universities. Emile Durkheim has all rights to be regarded as a third structural-functional pioneer. This person is the follower of the English sociologist Herbert Spencer (18201903). According to Spencer, human society much resembles the human body. This body is made of some important structural parts. These structural parts can be categorized as the skeleton, muscles, and various internal organs. The combination of these two things is able to sustain the survival of the entire organism. Spencer also indicated that present-day social structures work in a combination with each other. The main objective of current social structures is to preserve the current state of human society. As for the structural-functional paradigm, this paradigm has many important features of its own. The main feature of this paradigm is to investigate the way in which the society is currently functioning. (Korgen, White 22)
Durkheim also had its own ideas about people whom he regarded as selfish creatures who need to be governed by the state. Because of human imperfect nature they must be channeled and controlled through proper socialization by institutions in society. Durkheim supported the idea that property functioning institutions that serve to be the basis of modern education system, family, occupational associations, and religion. According to Durkheim, perfect structure of the society is the main guarantee of its perfection and proper functioning.
In the course of his research Durkheim also pointed to some problems that continue to exist in our society. Durkheim gave his own analysis of the society. According to the researcher, the existence of external inequality in an industrial society can be categorized as the list of factors that indicate that the socializing institutions are not functioning properly. Durkheim major concern was searching for the ways to reduce inequalities in the society. Durkheims research was also aimed at increasing the understanding and solidarity among the people.
Durkheim has also elaborated his own attitude to the system of education. The main objective of the researcher was to mold Frances public school, thus defining their further structure and functioning. Durkheim suggests the following division of inequalities. In fact, the researcher divides the inequalities into internal and external. Internal inequalities are based on peoples natural abilities. As for the external inequalities, these inequalities are forced upon people.
There are many ways to sustain the successful functioning of the society. To make the society function in a successful way, people have to realize their inner potential. However, external inequality that is present in the society often prevents people from fulfilling their true objectives. The fulfillment of human innate talents requires the society to eradicate all its damages. Durkheim held to the idea that the development of the various institutions in society is able to create the opportunities for societal further development. (Korgen, White 56)
Contemporary U.S. sociologist Robert K. Merton belongs to the list of the researchers who contributed to the changes in human understanding of social function. I will go so far as to say that this researcher has expanded the meaning of social structure. In the course of his research, Robert K. Merton pointed out that social structures probably have their own features. Some of the features are more obvious than others.
In the course of his research Merton did a number of discoveries. A very interesting discovery that has been made by Merton pertains to the manner in which the current educational system is currently working. The researcher event identified college as a marriage broker. According to Mertons research, marriage broker is able to bring together thousands of young people of similar social backgrounds. The other function of the college is to keep people out of the market. It is evident that after graduation people will not be able to find jobs at the market.
Another latent function of higher education is to keep millions of people out of the labor market where, presumably, many of them would not find jobs. In the course of his research Merton also recognized that the current social structure has a number of its own features. Merton also questioned the usability of social structures for some groups of the people.
According to the researcher, social dysfunctions can often bring a number of undesirable consequences into the manner the society is operating. In the course of the research, many people show the tendency to disagree on what is beneficial and what is harmful for them. Mertons research implies that what is functional for one category of people might not be important for the other category of people.
Critical evaluation. The chief characteristic of the structural-functional paradigm is its particular focus on elaborating the new visions of the society that is viewed as stable and constantly functioning system. The paradigms are frequently used by the researchers who are willing to give a proper explanation to this or that historical event. The major reasons why the sociologists are using the current paradigms is to figure out what can make the society to function in the manner it functions in the present day.
The situation was changed in the mid-1900s. The structural-functional paradigm was favored by many sociologists. However, in a couple of years the paradigm lost its initial popularity among the people.
In the course of promoting structural research paradigm people pay more attention to such issues as the stability and unity of the system. In the course of analyzing this issue, critics point out to the fact that in many cases structural-functionalism ignored a number of the important issues. Race and gender belongs to the most problematic issues. According to the sociologists, ignoring such important issues as social class, race, ethnicity, and gender is likely to result in a considerable tension and conflict. The excessive focus on the conflict threatens to change the paradigm into something conservative and not interesting for the people. Also, many people crave for a critical response to this approach. Under the circumstances like these many sociologists developed their own theoretical orientation and understanding of the system. Social-conflict paradigm belongs to the list of the paradigms that define the further functioning of the system. (Korgen, White 67)
The main objective of the universal health care is to encourage the development of the new system that will guarantee the universal access health care service. According to the research, the universal healthcare often means that the systems will be constantly renewed and updated. The term Universal means that all people in the world will get an access to the new healthcare system. According to the current research, the number of the uninsured people remains to be the same. The current plan of the Universal Health Care is to give people a chance to get an access to new healthcare services.
Universal health means that all residents of the planet will be given an access to the new universal system of healthcare. This system gives an access to high quality care.
At present, there are a growing number of state UHC organizations that are recognized as the ones that are able to receive a chance to get some extra privileges. The presence of the new privileges is likely to empower a further development of the society. Among the people who will be empowered by the new universal health care system are the following categories of people ethnic minorities, low-income workers etc.
The issue of universal healthcare can be also approached from the point of ethics. When to approach the idea from the ethical point we can see that elaborating of a new manner of medical treatment belongs to the area of human basic rights.
Also, one should not forget that health is something that is given by God, rather than people. Health is the example of the new service commodity. At present, the society has reached the level when it is able to regulate a number of the scientific and technological advances.
Designing the system of universal healthcare is the example of the most organic manifestation of human progress and societal development. The general purpose of the system can be described as the altruistic call for changes.
Creation of the universal healthcare is often initiated by the government programs. These programs are aimed at meeting the needs of the wealthy and middle class people.
Conflict Paradigm
Symbolic interaction paradigm this theory is based on conflict and change. The theory has a number of the particular features. All these features make the basis of the social conflict theory. Usually the system is described as favoritism. As for the society itself, it often favors the theory. In general, the theory is based on the idea of social inequality. (Korgen, White 71) There are frequent cases when the ideas of social inequality are seen from the point of how the system refers to such important issue as race, ethnicity, gender, and age. Also, the society indicates that there is a long list of things that dictate people how they can acquire wealth, schooling, power, and prestige. The social conflict paradigm helps people to reach a number of the important objectives. One of these objectives is to improve the social standing of the system.
The Social Conflict Paradigm
The social conflict paradigm is based on the idea that the society is a very complex system. This system is characterized by the prevalence of inequality and conflict. When combined together these two things are able to general social change. As for the personal life and the individual experiences of the people these are used to dictate why this or that theory is true.
Personal life experiences are related to how to make the theory true. As for the theory discussion, it is often related to how people present themselves in the course of this or that issue analysis. As for the social conflict, it should be seen as one of the most important issues in the world.
Karl Marx was one of the proponents of the theory of social conflict. According to the researcher this theory can be used to reduce social inequality and conflict. The other research implication is that the social conflict theory can be described as favoritism. Generally, it means that the theory is aimed at protecting some parts of the society. Protection of these groups of people can remove social inequality. The overall process is shown throughout the world from situations. These situations are related to such important issues as race, ethnicity, gender, and age. (Korgen, White 88)
There are few factors that define a further functioning of the system. There is a whole list of factors that dictate the manner in which people acquire wealth, schooling, power, and prestige. According to the social conflict paradigm, there are many ways in which the society can view its social standing. Karl Marx was a sociologist contributed much to creating the main theoretical basis of the whole process.
While creating the theory of social paradigm Marx made his main goal to understand the main principles according to which the current society is functioning. When combined together, these principles are able to reduce social inequality. Karl Marx belongs to the list of the researchers who tried their best to explain the main reasons why there is a contradiction in society.
Contrary to Marx, Webber focused its attention on the analysis of conflict and economic systems. In the course of his analysis Max Weber (1864 -1920) looked more at the combination of economic and political power that defined the further functioning of the system. In the course of his research, Weber expanded Marxs idea of class. The theory was divided into three dimensions of stratification. These include the following
class (economic status belongs to the most respected things in the capitalist societies)
status (prestige belongs to the list of the most important in traditional societies)
Party means position in the bureaucratic structure. Party belonging plays a very big role for the development of advanced industrial and highly rational societies.
These three dimensions threaten to overlap with each other. It means that someone high in class will be given a chance to attain high status and political power in the society.
Contrary to Marx, Weber was very pessimistic about the chance to eliminate the societal inequalities. Weber had the idea that the elimination of one aspect of conflict will inevitably lead to the elimination of the other aspect of conflict. Webers definition of power is also quite interesting. According to the researcher, the elimination of power gives people a chance to realize their own will. This will is usually present in the set of communal actions. The main objective of these actions is to eliminate the overall resistance of the people. Even now the research by Weber remains to be the starting point for most modern sociological explorations of power relations. (Korgen, White 18)
Webers work on bureaucratic institutions also plays a meaningful role. The book has a number of the important advantage. First of all, the book helps people to understand their power over the other people. Even now the book remains to be popular among the advanced industrial societies of all types. These societies range from capitalist, communist, and finish with anything else.
The works by Weber help people to comprehend how powerful bureaucratic structures are currently functioning. These structures remain to be intact even when the individuals in charge are replaced with the other people. As for the people, who have the control over the government bureaucracy, these people threaten to be turned into a highly developed nation that is able to exert tremendous power over all aspects of that society. According to Weber, controlling the government bureaucracy enables people to achieve a number of their own objective. First of all, people get a chance to control the key institutions in society. The range of these institutions includes the military and the others. The main objective of the current institutions is to single out the standards that define the further work of the institutions.
The crucial element of a power structure is referred to as legitimacy. According to the recent research, the legitimacy of power is a thing that defines the further work of the low level institutions.
Weber states that the use of bureaucratic structures can be very efficient for creating the effective organization. Hitlers Germany was very efficient public organization that delivered a number of the important objectives. When properly managed, bureaucratic structures can be described as the extremely efficient structures that can improve the overall effectiveness of the organization. (Korgen, White 41)
Weber belongs to the list of the researchers who cautioned against the establishment of sociology as a science. According to this researcher, there are many way to guide the further development of the society. Sociology belongs to the list of studies, the main objective of which is guiding the further societal development.
How would universal healthcare create or reflect conflicts in the society
The current society has to live in the state of conflict. The present conflict is aroused by people who are refused of the right to get an access to health care services. The current conflict is reasoned by the numerous reasons. These reasons can be classified as societal. The conflict will last for eternity unless we will change the essence of the state. At present, many individuals have to live in the state when they have to fend for themselves. As for the formal apparatus of the state, this apparatus exists with the aim to protect people one from the other. The other interesting alternative that is given for people is to suggest their own way to find conflict-resolution.
Creation of the universal healthcare system is one of the best ways to find a possible solution of the pending conflict. Currently, the conflict supports a natural transition from state-of-nature to the other kind of state.
Universal healthcare is one of the major features of civil society. In case people will manage to create something like a full-fledged political community, the conflict wills disappear.
The hypothetical transition, from state of nature with its never ending conflict between rich and poor can be regarded as the act of true compromise that will lead people to the complete satisfaction of all their needs.
To summarize, transition to the universal healthcare is the first step to creating the new society comprised of the happy people who are able to enjoy equal rights.
Symbolic Interaction Paradigm
George Herbert Mead (1863-1931) can be described as the founder of symbolic interactionism. Mead also belongs to the list of sociologists, who show much care about the society. Along with that, the researcher was very interesting in learning the major ways in which the societal processes can be regulated. The other important objective of the researcher is to learning about the possible ways of self-development. The researcher was very interested in learning how the human self is able to develop through communicating with others. According to Mead, the self-development of individuals is a thing that is able to regulate the symbolic behavior or symbolic interaction of the people.
Mead also mentioned the idea that humans do not have the right to be humans while they are interacting with each other. According to the researcher, the nature of our interactions belongs to the list of factors that help to determine the further ways of society functioning.
Symbolic interaction belongs to the list of things that help to maintain the societal structure. Mead views society as a stable social construction that remains to be continually created and recreated by humans. According to Mead, implicit agreement helps to maintain the current state of the society. The agreement helps to contain the current state of the society.
There are many ways in which people are able to maintain the current state of society. Traditionally, the society can be regulated by introducing the implicit agreement. The main objective of this agreement is to help people to interact with one another in certain ways.
Mead was looking for finding certain patterns of interaction. These patterns can reinforce the belief system that helps people to survive.
Mead belongs to the list of the researchers who used his sociological expertise to define the ways in which the social environment is able to contribute to several social programs and movements in Chicago.
Jane Addams
Addams belongs to the list of the researcher who worked closely with Mead on social issues. The issues that were covered by the researchers were concerned with women and immigrant workers. In the course of her research, Adams focused on issues. Many of these issues are related to the need to implement the social reform. The main objective of this reform is to reduce inequality, and to bridging the divide that exists between the rich and the poor. When exploring the social issues Adams even lived a poor neighborhood.
To summarize, the founders of sociology were deeply interested in finding the ways to improve the well-being of the society. There are many ways to make the society function in a proper way. The main objective of the society is to curb current systems of inequality. The major benefit of the researcher is that they not only perceived the social issues of the day, but proposed solutions for them. (Korgen, White 51)
How Can We Have Universal Care While Avoiding Some of the Problems That Make a Single-Payer System Undesirable and Unlikely to Succeed
For economic reasons, individualism remains to the main feature of American thinking. The other thing that matters is the Americas conception of equality. This concept is deeply rooted in the very notion of individualism. The research implies that the United States is a land of opportunity that gives the additional advantages and opportunities for its people. A peculiar feature of the system is its commitment to the equality of opportunity. The same principle of equal opportunity has become the basis for Canadian thinking and the thinking of Western Europe.
The universal healthcare is able to create new meaningful symbols and language that would structure social interactions among healthcare providers, and health insurance providers.
Creation of the universal healthcare is not possible without creating the universal symbols. These symbols can be described as an effective tool that is likely to help visitors to navigate health facilities.
There are many ways to accentuate the importance of universal symbols. The introduction of these symbols can provide the modern healthcare system with the following advantages
Universal symbols serves to be an effective tool that helps people to find the new ways of healthcare management
Patients find symbols are very easy to understand for the people of all countries
The use of the new symbols can contribute to the sense of human self. This principle serves to be the major principle on which the modern healthcare system is based.
In addition, the universal healthcare system can contribute to changes in the very meaning of the self. It means that the system has the ability to change the meaning of healthcare in the society.
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