What is functionalism and Neofunctionalism?

Functionalism and Neofunctionalism: Making Sense of Society and How Countries Play Together

Ever wonder what makes society tick, or why countries decide to team up? Functionalism and neofunctionalism are two ways of looking at these big questions. Think of them as different lenses that help us understand how things work, whether it’s your local community or the whole world.

Functionalism: Society as a Well-Oiled Machine

Functionalism, or structural-functionalism if you want to get fancy, basically sees society as a complex system. Imagine it like a body, with all sorts of different parts – family, schools, government, you name it – all working together to keep things running smoothly. This idea really took off in the 1800s, with thinkers like Émile Durkheim and Herbert Spencer leading the charge. They figured, hey, if we can understand how the human body works, maybe we can understand society too.

What’s the Big Idea?

• We’re All Connected: Everything in society is linked. Schools need families to send them kids, governments need taxes from businesses, and so on. It’s a big web of interdependence.
• Everyone Has a Job: Every part of society has a purpose, a function. Some are obvious, like schools educating kids (that’s a “manifest” function). Others are less clear, like schools also providing a place for kids to socialize and make friends (a “latent” function).
• Playing by the Rules: For society to work, we need to agree on some basic rules and values. These shared beliefs keep us from descending into chaos. Think of it like everyone knowing which side of the road to drive on – it just makes things easier.
• Finding Balance: Society is always trying to stay in balance. When something throws it off – say, a big economic downturn – other parts adjust to get things back on track.

But Is It Perfect?

Functionalism is a neat idea, but it’s not without its critics. Some say it focuses too much on keeping things stable and doesn’t pay enough attention to conflict and inequality. Others argue that it’s a bit too conservative, assuming that everything that exists must be there for a reason. And sometimes, it can sound like things happen because they’re good for society, which is kind of like saying the universe has a plan – a bit hard to prove!

Neofunctionalism: Countries Joining Forces

Now, let’s zoom in from society as a whole to how countries work together. Neofunctionalism is all about regional integration, like what’s been happening in Europe since World War II. Ernst B. Haas came up with this theory in the 1950s, trying to figure out why countries would give up some of their power to work with others.

How Does It Work?

• Super Teams: Neofunctionalism puts a lot of emphasis on international organizations. These groups, like the European Commission, have the power to make decisions that countries have to follow.
• One Thing Leads to Another: The key idea here is “spillover.” Imagine you start by cooperating on one thing, like trading steel. Pretty soon, you realize it would be easier if you also cooperated on things like worker rights or transportation. One thing leads to another, and before you know it, you’re deeply integrated.
• Follow the Power: Interest groups and politicians start paying more attention to these international organizations because that’s where the action is. If you want to get something done, you need to be involved at the regional level.
• Let the Experts Decide: Neofunctionalism also suggests that a lot of integration happens because of experts and technocrats. They focus on solving problems together, without getting too caught up in politics.

Does It Always Work?

Neofunctionalism is a cool theory, but it’s not a crystal ball. Some critics point out that it doesn’t always account for national interests. Countries can still say “no” to integration if they feel it’s not in their best interest. Also, the theory had a hard time explaining why European integration slowed down in the 70s and 80s. And some argue that it focuses too much on economics and not enough on the political and cultural aspects of countries working together.

Functionalism vs. Neofunctionalism: The Key Differences

FeatureFunctionalismNeofunctionalismScopeBig picture of societyCountries teaming up in a regionFocusKeeping things stable and orderlyInternational organizations and spilloverLevel of AnalysisLooking at the whole systemMostly the system, but also interest groupsWho’s in Charge?Durkheim, Spencer, ParsonsHaas