Theories+of+social+change

=Theories of social change=

CONFLICT THEORY According to Karl Marx when the means of production changes the structure of society changes, for example, new social classes emerge. Change comes about when those without power challenge the existing order.The oppressed classes organize and rise up against the ruling power elite. Change comes about because inequalities exist in society. Power and authority are transferred to a new ruling elite.

SOCIO - CULTURAL EVOLUTIONARY CHANGE All societies are on a unilinear path to the same destination, that destination is Western Modernity. Each society is at a different stage of the journey. Lately this theory has been revised. It is considered some societies may be on a multi linear journey to the same destination - Western Modernity.

FUNCTIONALISM Emile Durkheim was an influential sociologist. He theorised that members of society are constrained by **social facts**. Social facts are agents of social control and are embedded in culture. Beliefs, values and norms that influence social facts are passed on from generation to generation through socialisation. Social facts continue as long as they are useful and relevant to society. When social facts lose their usefulness or relevance they longer constrain members of society and social change occurs. When an individual cannot conform to the social facts accepted by the majority of people in a society they are deviant.