Theories On Social Change From Harper And Massey's Book

List and briefly explain all the theories on social change from Harper (chapter 3) and Massey 's (chapter 3) book. Then comment on which theory or theories you think make more sense in explaining social change, and use examples to back up your statements. Functionalism assumes that society is essentially a system of parts that work together for the benefit of the group (Harper, 44). That it 's system is built around imperatives that perpetuate its existence: “the replacement of individuals, socialization, production of goods and services, provision of social order, and maintenance of common symbols, values, and motivation”. One way to think of this is that of a single cell organism with parts that operate and function for the survival and growth of that cell. In regards to social change when the social order is disturbed with things such as conflict, equality, or innovation strain can result (Harper, 45). In dealing with the strain, under Parsons evolutionary theory of change, society can revert to a previous equilibrium, system maintenance. They can change or develop new procedures, roles, and structures, structural differentiation. Or they can go through adaptive upgrading where by they

In its simplicity when things such as resources or values can be recognized or argued as being unequal the resulting action of change may occur. The strain of equal rights for those of colored skin and of gay rights concern themselves with equal treatment under the law without discrimination. It is the unfair treatment give by society that they were a lesser being or second class citizens that lead them to act out in defiance of the current social order with the intent of rectifying what they saw was an injustice. This strain resulting from inequality, in my opinion, can be found in almost every aspect of social change and is my belief that it is a core of how change in a society comes