structural functionalism
Structural functionalism in India
Introduction
Functional approach to the study of phenomena emerged at first in biological sciences and later on adopted social sciences. Structural-Functional approach in the study of society emerged from the writings of early thinkers like August Comte, Herbert Spencer and Emile Durkheim during the later part of 19th century and became a predominant trend in sociology during the first half of 20th century. Drawing this model from the west, Indian sociologist begun to study Indian society within the framework of structural functional approach. Indology, ‘dominant’ perspective till 1940s gave way to more systematic study of the Indian society. Structural functional approach was since then predominant in the Indian sociological circle till the end of the 20th century. Students of Indian society, both sociologists and social anthropologists, have undertaken extensive analysis of the caste and village systems in order to understand the unique nature the Indian society. Among the Indian scholars, G. S. Ghurye, M. N. Srinivas and S. C. Dube may be considered to be in the forefront of structural-functional approach in the study of Indian society. In this essay, structural functional approach in India has been explained. In order to understand clearly how structural functional approach has been used to explicate the Indian social reality, MN Srinivas’s seminal work ‘Religion and Society among the Coorgs of South India’ has been discussed with special emphasis on Sansritisation process. No perspective is beyond criticism and this approach is no exception. Few of the shortcomings of this perspective has been discussed at the end of the essay.
Structural functional perspective:
Before proceeding to understand Structural functionalist perspective in India, let’s first put forth the basic tenets of the approach. The key points of the functionalist perspective may be summarized by a comparison drawn from biology. A biologist
Introduction
Functional approach to the study of phenomena emerged at first in biological sciences and later on adopted social sciences. Structural-Functional approach in the study of society emerged from the writings of early thinkers like August Comte, Herbert Spencer and Emile Durkheim during the later part of 19th century and became a predominant trend in sociology during the first half of 20th century. Drawing this model from the west, Indian sociologist begun to study Indian society within the framework of structural functional approach. Indology, ‘dominant’ perspective till 1940s gave way to more systematic study of the Indian society. Structural functional approach was since then predominant in the Indian sociological circle till the end of the 20th century. Students of Indian society, both sociologists and social anthropologists, have undertaken extensive analysis of the caste and village systems in order to understand the unique nature the Indian society. Among the Indian scholars, G. S. Ghurye, M. N. Srinivas and S. C. Dube may be considered to be in the forefront of structural-functional approach in the study of Indian society. In this essay, structural functional approach in India has been explained. In order to understand clearly how structural functional approach has been used to explicate the Indian social reality, MN Srinivas’s seminal work ‘Religion and Society among the Coorgs of South India’ has been discussed with special emphasis on Sansritisation process. No perspective is beyond criticism and this approach is no exception. Few of the shortcomings of this perspective has been discussed at the end of the essay.
Structural functional perspective:
Before proceeding to understand Structural functionalist perspective in India, let’s first put forth the basic tenets of the approach. The key points of the functionalist perspective may be summarized by a comparison drawn from biology. A biologist