SOCIAL CHANGE AND

DEVELOPMENT
PERSPECTIVE
PREPARED BY GROUP 2: NARAG, IVAN T.
BATTUNG, CHRISTIAN NATE
BAYED, MELISSA
CUREG, APRIL
ISIP, JILLIANE
MACABABBAD, GERALDINE
PERU, GIALEE
SUYU, JOYCEL
QUILANG, HEIDY
STRUCTURAL
FUNCTIONAL
THEORY
 STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONAL
THEORY
 tructural-functional theory, also called as structural
functionalism, sees society as a structure with
interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and
social needs of the individuals in that society.
 Society is made up of a bunch of moving parts that
move together as one. Every person in the society has
specific role/job and everyone need to do it for
everything to work. Each individual has a unique
function in a society.
 STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
 Structural Functionalism is a macro theory that looks at how all structures or
institutions in society work together.According to this theory, individuals have
no power (Social sciences).
 Examples of structures or institutions of society include: education, health
care, family, legal system, economy, and religion.
 Hebert Spencer (1903), saw similarities between society and the human body.
He argued that just as the various organs of the body work together to keep the
body functioning, the various parts of society work together to keep society
functioning (Spencer, 1903)
 The parts of society that Spencer referred to were the social institutions, or
patterns of beliefs and behaviors focused on meeting social needs, such as
government, education, family, healthcare, religion, and the economy.
 TWO FUNCTIONS OF INSTITUTIONS
 Institutions are structures that meets the needs of the society. Each
institutions has different roles.

1. MANIFEST FUNCTIONS- things that are put in place intentionally to

keep society moving forward.
For example;
Schools- teach students and train them to be professionals.

2. LATENT FUNCTIONS-unintended consequences from manifest

function. It can be positive or negative. Latent functions can be beneficial,
neutral, or harmful
For example;
Schools- to form social groups
 Elements of Society

Functional – contributes to social stability

DYSFUNCTION-social processes that have undesirable

consequences for the operation of society. In education,
examples of dysfunction include getting bad grades, truancy,
dropping out, not graduating, and not finding suitable
employment.
 SOCIAL CHANGE
 Émile Durkheim, another early sociologist, applied
Spencer’s theory to explain how societies change
and survive over time. Durkheim believed that
society is a complex system of interrelated and
interdependent parts that work together to maintain
stability (Durkheim 1893), and that society is held
together by shared values, languages, and symbols.
CRITICISM OF STRUCTURAL
FUNCTIONALISM
 One criticism of the structural-functional theory is that it can’t adequately explain social
change. It is having difficulty handling change.
 For example;
 Farmers- provide food for the society and have no time to teach their children, make their
own clothes, manage the country, to make tv shows. Instead, they focus on food
production. But teachers have time to teach students, corporations provide food, and
government manage the country.
 If all farmers decide to stop farming, the society will rumble or there will be disruptions in
the way society function because no one will produce food crops.
 REFERENCES
 Sinn, M. (2018). Theoretical Perspectives: Structural Functionalism.
Retrievedfrom: https://m.youtube.com/watch?
v=LciWAfvBZhA&pp=ygUYc3RydWN0dXJhbCBmdW5jdGlvbmFsa
XNt

 Social Sciences. 4.10 Structural Functional Theory.

Retrievedfrom:https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Courses/Lumen_Learning/
Introduction_to_Sociology_(Lumen)/04%3A_Module_1-
_Foundations_of_Sociology/4.10%3A_Structural-Functional_Theory
 ROSTOW’S
MODERNIZATIO
N THEORY
 ROSTOW’S MODERNIZATION THEORY

FIVE STAGES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Traditional Society: This stage is characterized by a subsistent, agricultural

based economy, with intensive labor and low levels of trading, and a
population that does not have a scientific perspective on the world and
technology.
 Agriculture and other primary industries are the only means of existence.
Preconditions to Take-off: Here, a society begins to develop manufacturing,
and a more national/international, as opposed to regional, outlook.
 Mechanization starts to enter farming and greater yioelds create more
commercialization of food.
Take-off: Rostow describes this stage as a short period of
intensive growth, in which industrialization begins to occur, and
workers and institutions become concentrated around a new
industry.
Drive to Maturity: This stage takes place over a long period of
time, as standards of living rise, use of technology increases,
and the national economy grows and diversifies.
Age of High Mass Consumption: At the time of writing,
Rostow believed that Western countries, most notably the
United States, occupied this last "developed" stage. Here, a
country's economy flourishes in a capitalist system,
characterized by mass production and consumerism.
 MODERNIZATION
 The process by which a society’s social
institions become increasing complex as the
society moves toward industrialization
 modernization is the current term for an old
process-the process of social change whereby
less developed societies acquire
characterisrics common to more developed
societies.
 REFERENCES
 https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog128/node/
719#:~:text=Using%20these%20ideas%2C
%20Rostow%20penned,age%20of%20high
%20mass%20consumption.
 SOCIAL CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT
PERSPECTIVE PAGE 67-68
Dependency Theory in
Social Change and
Development
Perspective
 Dependency Theory

 A sociological perspective that seeks to

explain the relationship between developed
and underdeveloped nations in terms of
economic and social interactions. It posits that
the development of underdeveloped countries
is hindered by the dependency and
exploitation of resources by more powerful,
developed nations. This short report aims to
provide an overview of the Dependency
Theory and its implications for social change.
 Key Concept of Dependency Theory

1. Core-Periphery Structure:
 The theory suggests that global economic relationships are divided into two main
categories – the core and the periphery. The core consists of economically
advanced nations, while the periphery includes underdeveloped or developing
nations that are reliant on the core for resources and trade.

2. Unequal Power Relations:

 Dependency theorists argue that the structural dependence of underdeveloped
nations on the core perpetuates an unequal power dynamic. Developed nations
dominate international markets, control technology, and exploit cheap labor and
resources from the periphery, leading to economic and social disparities.
3. Role of Collective Action:
 Dependency theorists believe that social change must involve collective action by
underdeveloped nations to challenge dependency relationships. Promoting local
entrepreneurship, enhancing education and skills training, and fostering regional
cooperation can help drive social change and advance development
 Implications for Social Change
1. Economic Inequality:
 The Dependency Theory highlights how the unequal distribution of resources
and wealth perpetuates economic inequality within and between nations. The
theory emphasizes the need to address these issues to promote social change
and reduce poverty and disparities.
2. Political Implications:
 Dependency theorists argue that dependency hampers the political autonomy
of underdeveloped nations, as they become vulnerable to external influences
from more powerful countries. Addressing this issue requires strengthening
national sovereignty, promoting fair trade policies, and developing internal
resources and industries.
3. Role of Collective Action:
 Dependency theorists believe that social change must involve collective
action by underdeveloped nations to challenge dependency relationships.
Promoting local entrepreneurship, enhancing education and skills training, and
fostering regional cooperation can help drive social change and advance
 References

 https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/
sciadv.abc9800#:~:text=Core%2Dperiphery
%20structure%20is%20a,core%20and
%20among%20each%20other.https://
www.britannica.com/topic/dependency-
theory
DIALECTICAL
AND
HISTORICAL
MATERIALIS
 Dialectical Materialism
 This is a philosophical approach to reality derived from the
writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
 Dialectical Materialism is the Marxist explanation of what
people, Earth and the Universe are and what makes them go
round.
 Dialectical Materialism is nothing more than the scientific
explanation of the universe.
 It is all about the processes and change of nature and society
over time.
 This is also a way of understanding reality; whether thoughts,
emotions or other material world.
 A good reference is Friedrich Engels Book of Dialects of Nature.
 Dialectical Materialism is a powerful way of looking and thinking
about nature and society.
 Also, dialectical materialism is not only a philosophy but also a
complete way of thinking to explain the reality.
▪︎A very simple description is that dialectical materialism is a theory
about how societies developed and work and how things evolved and
change over time. And how we simply moved briefly from early
humans as hunters and gatherers, the advent of agricultures, the rise
of villages, towns and cities. Slave societies, to feudalism and on the
capitalism and the predictions of socialist societies.
 Historical Materialism

 This is the theory of history associated with the

German economist and philosopher Karl Marx and
his colleague Friedrich Engels. The theory
postulates that all institutions of human society
(e.g., government and religion) are the outgrowth
of its economic activity.
 Marx locates the historical change in the rise of
class societies and the way humans labor together
to make their livelihoods.
 This is also the way in which societies provides for their
material needs conditions the totality of social relations,
institutions, and ideas.
 The theory of historical materialism is based upon the
primacy of economic forces in social change throughout
history, and that these economic forces will continue to
transform the world until it reaches its culmination in
communism.
 This also states that the material conditions of the mode of
production determines its organisation and more
importantly its development i.e. how goods are made
influences society, and how society changes over time.
 REFERENCES
 https://www.marxists.org/glossary/terms/d/i.htm#:~:text=Dialectical
%20Materialism,emotions%2C%20or%20the%20material%20worl
d
 https://www.britannica.com/topic/dialectical-materialism
 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_materialism
 https://www.google.com/search?q=simple+description+of+historica
l+materialism&oq=simple+description+of+historical+materialism&
gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCTE2ODkxajBqOagCA
LACAA&client=ms-android-samsung-gj-rev1&sourceid=chrome-m
obile&ie=UTF-8
NEOLIBERALISM
 Neoliberalism is an economic and political
ideology that emphasizes free markets,
limited government intervention,
privatization, deregulation, and individual
empowerment. In the realm of development
theory, neoliberalism suggests that allowing
market forces to drive development can lead
to economic growth and prosperity. Critics
argue that it can exacerbate inequality and
neglect social and environmental concerns.
Neoliberalism, as an economic and political
ideology, has had a significant impact on
social change and the environment. Here's a
brief overview of its effects from both
perspectives:
Social Change Perspective:

1. Individualism and Consumerism: Neoliberalism

promotes individualism and consumerism, emphasizing
personal responsibility and market-driven choices. This has
led to a society where personal success is often measured by
material wealth and consumption.
2. Inequality: Critics argue that neoliberal policies have
exacerbated income inequality. The focus on reducing
government intervention and promoting market competition
can lead to concentration of wealth among a small elite,
leaving many marginalized and disadvantaged.

3. Reduced Social Safety Nets: Neoliberal policies often

involve cuts to social welfare programs and public services.
This can leave vulnerable populations with fewer safety nets,
making it harder for them to cope with economic hardships.
 Environmental Perspective:
1. Deregulation: Neoliberalism often involves deregulation
of industries, including environmental regulations. This can
lead to overexploitation of natural resources and increased
pollution, as companies prioritize profit over environmental
sustainability.
2. Market-Driven Solutions: Neoliberalism tends to favor
market-based environmental solutions, such as emissions
trading or carbon offsets. Critics argue that these approaches
can be insufficient in addressing the root causes of
environmental issues.
It’s important to note that the impact of
neoliberalism on social change and the
environment is a topic of ongoing debate.
While proponents argue that market-driven
policies can drive innovation and economic
growth, critics emphasize the negative
consequences, particularly for vulnerable
populations and the long-term health of the
planet.
 References:
 Harvey, D. (2007). A Brief History of Neoliberalism. Oxford
University Press.

 Stiglitz, J. E. (2002). Globalization and Its Discontents. W.W.

Norton & Company.

 Rodrik, D. (2008). One Economics, Many Recipes: Globalization,

Institutions, and Economic Growth. Princeton University Press.