Functionalist and Marxist Approaches to Education and Economy
Functionalist and Marxist perspectives differ considerably in the way
they view the relationship between education and the economy. Both
perspectives agree that the educational system provides society with
certain functions, but they disagree about the purpose of these
functions and more importantly who benefits from them. Functionalists
see the educational system as providing a positive educational
experience, which benefits the children and society. Whereas, Marxists
claim that the system oppresses and harms people, and that it only
benefits the powerful.
Functionalists believe mass formal education is an essential part of
industrial society, and that the expansion of industrial economies
brings a corresponding expansion in the educational system. They also
see the introduction of mass education in Britain during 1870, as a
response to the increasing demand of industry, for a literate and
numerate workforce.
Many Functionalists, such as Durkheim, claim that education performs
two central functions, which relate to social cohesion and the
division of labor. Durkheim (1961 'Moral Education') argued that
education transmits the norms and values of society to the next
generation. It therefore reproduces social solidarity, which according
to functionalism, is needed in order for society to exist.
Durkheim offered an explanation of how social solidarity is reproduced
by the educational system. He said that school creates a miniature
model of society, where the child interacts and cooperates with other
pupils whilst following a set of fixed rules. In this way, the ch...
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...basic level, on some sort of
conspiracy between employers and teachers.
To conclude, the Functionalist perspective views education as a vital
part of society, which turns pupils into model citizens and has a
positive impact on the economy and society as a whole. Education also
produces a diverse workforce, in a way that is fair to everyone, and
it compliments the requirements of the economy perfectly. The Marxist
perspective views education as a part of society that is vital for the
ruling class, because it reproduces the unequal distribution of wealth
and power, by turning working class pupils into conformist workers. It
therefore sees education as an ideological tool, used by the upper
classes to exploit the working classes.
Ref: Haralambos and Holburn (2000) Sociology: Themes and
Perspectives (fifth edition)
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