Discuss Sociological Theories

SOST 131
Discuss the following sociological theories, showing their practicability In Kenya:

Table of Content
1. Structural Functionalism Definition Propositions Practicability in Kenya
2. Conflict Theory

Definition

Social Stratification

Wealth and Power

Structural functionalism
Structural Functionalism is a theoretical understanding of society that posits social systems are collective means to fill social needs. In order for social life to survive and develop in society there are a number of activities that need to be carried out to ensure that certain needs are fulfilled. In the structural functionalist model, individuals produce necessary goods and services in various institutions and roles that correlate with the norms of the society.
One of the key ideas in Structural Functionalism is that society is made-up of groups or institutions, which are cohesive, share common norms, and have a definitive culture.
Structural Functionalism asserts that the way society is organized is the most natural and efficient way for it to be organized.
Robert K. Merton argued that functionalism is about the more static or concrete aspects of society. Gender inequality offers a good illustration. According to Structural Functionalist thought, women being subordinate to men allow the cogs of society to function smoothly as everyone in the society knows his or her respective position in the hierarchy. The implication, of course, is that, because society is functioning smoothly with gender stratification, such stratification is acceptable and efforts should not be made to change the arrangement. This example illustrates that Structural Functionalism is generally seen as being supportive of the status quo.
One proposition derived from Structural Functionalist theory is that people have social capital and that greater amounts of social capital translate into benefits. Well integrated members of an institution (those with substantial social capital) will remain members of the institution in order to maximize the potential of their social capital.
One of the assumptions of Structural Functionalism is that a society is cohesive if it consists of various intermediate groups which share the same norms.
This assumption leads to another proposition: The higher the level of integration between these intermediate groups, the more cohesive society will be as a whole. The absence of social cohesion can result in greater violence toward others and one's self
Practicability in Kenya
Following the invasion of KDF in Somalia in 2012 on the war against terror, there were a series of reprisal attacks that occurred in Kenya, by elements loyal to terrorists. These attacks resulted in changes in society and the way of life. While security measures have been there before, the level of security has now been heightened whereby people have become more conscious of terrorist threats.
Security has been heightened in shopping malls, entertainment joints and even churches. In this case people are now subjected to thorough screening.
This reflects the structural functionalist idea that change in one element of society results in changes in other aspects of the society. Therefore a change in the cultural sense of security resulted in a corresponding change in the normal way of life as pertains to going to work, shopping, entertainment and even going to church.
Modern technology has resulted in changes to the economy, whereby before the advent of telephones, the internet and video conferencing most business meetings and transactions occurred face to face. Modern technology has changed this reducing the necessity of business travel. For instance the launch of mobile money transfer services has revolutionized the way business operates in Kenya. As a result the function of face to face meetings in business has changed; they are no longer a necessary part of social interactions and have therefore begun to lose their structural role.

Conflict theory
The basic premise of conflict theory is that individuals and groups in society struggle to maximize their share of the limited resources that exist and are desired by humans. Given that there are limited resources, the struggle inevitably leads to conflict and competition. These struggles can lead to changes in institutions and societies as different groups come into power.
Conflict theory emphasizes the role of coercion and power in producing social order. This perspective is derived from the works of Karl Marx., who saw the society as fragmented into groups that compete social and economic resources. Social order is maintained by domination, with power in the hands of those with the greatest political, economical and social resources. When consensus exists, it is attributable to people being united around common interests, often in opposition to other groups. According to conflict theory, inequality exists because those in control of a disproportionate share of society’s resources actively defend their advantages. The masses are not bound to society by their shared values but by coercion at the hands of those in power. This perspective stresses social control not consensus and conformity. There is great attention paid to class, race and gender in this perspective because they are seen as grounds of the most pertinent and enduring struggles in society.
Whereas most other sociological theories focus on the positive aspects of society, conflict theory focuses on the negative, conflicted and the ever changing nature of society. Conflict theorists believe rich and powerful people force social order on the poor and the weak. As civilization undergo changes form agrarian, rural groups into industrialized modern societies a social hierarchy emergence that effectively creates distinct classes based on wealth, power and prestige. According to conflict theory it is this structure of social stratification that pits those in the upper class i.e those with most power, wealth and prestige against the lower classes. Conflict theory also asserts that modern society and the criminal justice systems and criminal law operates on the behalf of the rich and powerful elites, with the resulting policies aimed at controlling the poor, therefore perpetuating a system in which the upper class maintains power and all other classes remain economically disadvantaged, disenfranchised and nearly powerless.
While Kenya is purportedly a nation that values principles of equality, classlessness, meritocracy and hard work there is a very high level of economic and social inequality.
Inequality remains high in the Kenyan society despite declining poverty levels. The Kenya household budget survey 2005/6 indicates that the national absolute poverty declined from 52.3 percent in 1997 to 45.9 percent in 2005/6. Despite this improvement, one in every five Kenyans has a consumption level inadequate to meet his or her basic food needs. About 20% of Kenyans own 80% of the nation’s wealth as a whole while 80% of Kenyans having only 15% of the wealth. This extreme inequality in the level of power and wealth that currently exists in Kenya shows the central themes of conflict theory whereby there is a competition for power between the classes. The implications of this huge disparity in wealth between the social classes in Kenya includes many disadvantages for those in the lower classes, such as lack of access to healthcare, increased risk of violent crime, few educational opportunities and deplorable living conditions. Inequality is in almost all aspects of the society, the Kenyan Members of Parliament failure to pay taxes while they pass laws that do not regulate prices of basic commodities, A justice system that punishes severely punishes minor offenders while large scale financial and business crimes are treated and more leniently. For instance theft of a goat might receive a longer sentence than stealing millions through illegal business practices. This example illustrates the manner in which conflict theory can be applied to deviance in society as upper classes seek to maintain their position and power by ensuring the lower classes remain poor and relatively powerless.