Explain the functionalist perspective on power and political ...

[jman1234]

Explain the functionalist perspective on power and political systems.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

The social significance of gender stereotypes can be illustrated in a variety of ways through eating disorders. With __________, a person has lost body weight due to a compulsive fear of becoming fat.
 
  a. disgorgement b. bulimia
 c. obesity d. anorexia

[tofugiraffe]

Answer to Question 1

The functionalist perspective assumes that people share a consensus on central

concerns, such as freedom and protection from harm, and that the government serves

important functions no other institution can fulfill. Durkheim described the purpose of

government as socializing people to be good citizens, regulating the economy, and

providing necessary services for citizens. Contemporary functionalists state the four

main functions as follows: (1) maintaining law and order, (2) planning and directing

society, (3) meeting social needs, and (4) handling international relations, including

warfare. Functionalists suggest that divergent viewpoints lead to a system of political

pluralism in which the government functions as an arbiter between competing interests

and viewpoints. According to the pluralist model, power in political systems is widely

dispersed throughout many competing interest groups.

Answer to Question 2

d