Structural Approach

Structural Functional Approach Definition

To illustrate this concept, let's look at a concrete example from a democratic system.

Now, let's examine the major elements in the Structural Functional Approach.

Main Elements in the Structural Functional Approach

Two critical elements constitute the foundation of the Structural Functional Approach: Structures and Functions. Structures refer to institutions or parts of a socio-political system, while Functions point to the role or job that these institutions play.

• Structures: Consider institutions like the judiciary, parliament, and administrative bodies. They form the 'skeleton' of a political system.
• Functions:These are the roles that the above structures perform. For instance, the judiciary’s function is to provide justice, while the parliament’s role is to make laws.

Let's take a deep dive into how these elements interact in a system.

So, how does the structural functional approach translate into concrete variables?

Analysing Structural Functional Approach Examples

Having delved into the basic concepts of the Structural Functional Approach, it's time to examine real-life examples and applications of this theoretical system in understanding political dynamics and organizational structures.

Application of Gabriel Almond's Structural Functional Approach

A celebrated example of the Structural Functional Approach in political science is the framework developed by Gabriel Almond. His approach provides a way of 'mapping' political systems by examining their structures and functions.

• Input Functions: Includes political socialisation and recruitment (the process by which citizens learn political norms and gain roles within the political system), interest articulation (expressing what citizens want) and interest aggregation (combining and conveying these wants to the government).
• Output Functions: Encompasses rule-making (establishing laws), rule application (putting these laws into practice), and rule adjudication (resolving disputes over these laws).

The Role of Structural Functional Approach in Organisational Structures

The role of the Structural Functional Approach isn't limited to political science; it's also valuable in understanding organisational structures. This approach looks at organisations as complex systems with interdependent parts.

It's crucial to point out that organisation's structural and functional components aren't stagnant. They can evolve or change over time, reflecting shifts in organisation's objectives, cultural dynamics, or external economic conditions.

Criticism of the Structural Functional Approach

However, while the Structural Functional Approach serves as an instrumental tool in studying political structures, it has also been subject to various criticisms, primarily because it may not accurately capture the complexities of political systems.

Limitations of the Structural Functional Approach

Though this approach offers valuable insights into understanding political systems, its framework may not sufficiently cover all aspects. Here are a few limitations associated with this approach:

• Overemphasis on Stability: This approach tends to overexaggerate stability and order while downplaying conflicts and division within a political system. It presumes that every component of a system contributes to its continuity, though, in reality, certain elements may lead to system imbalance or disruption.
• Failure to Account for Change: Critics argue that the Structural Functional Approach struggles to account for social and political change effectively. It is argued that this approach is static and doesn't accommodate changes within a system over time effectively.
• Overgeneralisation: Critics suggest that the approach may lead to oversimplification and overgeneralisation as it attempts to categorise all political structures and their functions into a universal formula.
• Difficulties in Measuring Variables: Another disadvantage lies in the measurement of variables related to structures or their functions. Sociopolitical measurements can be subjective and challenging, unlike other disciplines, such as Physics or Chemistry, where units of measurement are standardised.

These limitations highlight the challenges critics identified within the Structural Functional Approach and underline the need for a more comprehensive analysis of political systems.

Contrasting Views on the Structural Functional Approach

There are several contrasting views on the Structural Functional Approach, each presenting alternative viewpoints or lenses to study political systems. A couple of which include Conflict Theory and Symbolic Interactionism.

Conflict Theory

Conflict theory emphasises the role of coercion and power, a stark contrast to the emphasis on stability and equilibrium in structural functionalism. It proposes that social and political systems are inherently unstable, marked more by conflict than consensus.

Symbolic Interactionism

Contrarily, symbolic interactionism shifts focus from societal structures to individual interactions. Focussed on studying the micro-aspects of a system, it aims to understand how they shape society's broader political and social dynamics.

These alternative theories provide varied perspectives and deepen our understanding of political systems. After all, every approach in studying political systems reveals different essential aspects, offering a multi-layered and comprehensive understanding of the subject.

The Focus and Importance of Structural Approach

Explain the Focus of the Structural Functional Approach

The Structural Functional Approach mainly focuses on structures in political or social systems. The term "structure" here refers to the entities and relations organising a political system. Structures could be institutions like a parliament, a court system, or administrative bodies.

Impact of a Structural Functional Approach in Comparative Politics

The Structural Functional Approach finds profound use in the field of Comparative Politics. Comparative Politics involves comparing political systems, understanding patterns of government, and analysing how different cultures impact political situations.

The Structural Functional Approach also guides the understanding of how inputs (like public opinion, societal norms) get converted into outputs (like laws, policies) in political systems.

Structural Approach in Education and Learning

The Structural Approach is significantly impactful in the realm of education and learning. Often used as a pedagogical tool, it aids in designing more effective learning strategies and processes. It involves an in-depth understanding of the 'structures' and 'functions' at play within a learning environment, and how these elements interrelate to enhance or impede learning processes.

Using Structural Functional Approach in Classroom Strategies

In a classroom context, 'structures' could be seen as different educational components - like the curriculum, teaching methods, classroom rules, and the physical learning environment. 'Functions', on the other hand, identify and analyse the roles these structures play in promoting a conducive learning atmosphere.

• Creating the Structures: This involves designing a robust curriculum, developing learner-centric teaching methods, setting positive classroom norms, and creating a supportive physical learning environment.
• Ensuring Consistent Performance of Functions: This entails delivering the curriculum, employing the teaching methods, maintaining order through classroom norms, and utilising the learning environment to facilitate education.

Benefits and Challenges of Implementing the Structural Functional Approach

The benefits of using the Structural Functional Approach in education are noteworthy. However, it's important to also understand the potential challenges of its implementation.