What is the fundamental difference between marxism and functionalism?

Each theory takes a different method of understanding how society functions. Marxism is a conflict theory while Functionalism is a consensus theory, meaning that the two believe that the institutions within society work to ensure different outcomes. Functionalism likens the institutions within society, e.g education, the family, the criminal justice system etc to that of a body and the organs within. The analogy goes that like within the body, if one organ fails, its likely that all the others will, too, suffer. Hence, functionalists, like Emile Durkheim believe that every institution has an important role to ensure the sound functioning as society as a whole. Marxists, on the contrary believe that all aspects of society function for the alienation and manipulation of the Proletariat, for example within the education system and the media. This, along with a false consciousness, provides the Bourgeoisie with an ample mass of unquestioning and oblivious workers who do not mind working for the external rewards of a constant wage, while those at the top of the social ladder continue to gain from this exploitation. 

Answered by Nancy C. Sociology tutor

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