Introduction
In this paper, sociological theories will be analyzed in regard to the current social event represented in the chosen newspaper article. In order to make an analysis, the article will first be summarized, along with the two chosen sociological theories – Conflict Theory and Structural Functionalism – that relate to the topic of the text. Second, the explanation will be delivered concerning the theoretical perspective of the article.
The article called Doctors Will Monitor Cuts to Refugee Health Care is posted in the Canadian newspaper The Globe and the Mail. It is published on June 27, 2012 and was written by Gloria Galloway. The topic discovers the urgent problem in the sphere of protecting the health status of immigrants in Canada, as well as public discontent with the new policy.
With regard to the above perspectives, the newspaper article discussions are more congruent with the conflict theory rather than with structural functionalism because it manages to describe the problem of power differentials, inequality, class conflicts in Canadian society at a macro-level. In contrast, structural functionalism is associated with interdependence and solidarities which is neglected in the article context.
Main Discussion
Article Summary
The article discusses the benefits of health care for refugees in Canada, as well as recent programs and reforms introduced to the sphere. In particular, it expresses the discontent of the Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care concerning inconsistent and ungrounded policy of Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.
The point is that the Conservative government considers reducing health care coverage to the immigrants, delivering basic medical aid to this population, as well as treating a disease that threatens the welfare of people. The Canadian doctors protest the reduction because it violates the principles of equal distribution of health care services among the Canadian population.
In this respect, Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care initiated a campaign against the Kenney’s administration and activated physicians and regional government to take greater control of the situation and keep record of the negative consequences of the reduced care.
In response, Kenney argues that the given health care campaign will save $ 20 million of annual budget and will stabilize the conditions both for the Canadian residents and for the immigrants.
In the article, the author stands the idea that Kenney’s campaign contradicts ethical and moral principles of health care delivery. Specifically, the author criticizes unequal treatment of society and the governmental class orientation on medical treatment distribution. At the same time, the given article is a protest against the negative attitude to ethnic minorities seeking medical aid.
Theoretical Perspectives
Conflict Theories
Conflict theory is closely connected with various outlooks on class structures as power differentials. In social terms, the conflict theory is associated with a two-fold position. The first one shows that “social conflicts involve coercive power and domination” whereas the second one argues that “social conflicts assume people struggling for “common interests” and not for private individual interests” (Mehrdad, 2009, p. 818).
Regarding these characteristics, social conflict is the confrontation represented by a group of people holding common beliefs. There are different types of strategic conflict theory because of different amount of material that each social group possesses to stand confrontation (Mehrdad, 2009). More powerful groups, therefore, have much more potential to exploit and control the groups that have less power.
Social conflict theory presupposes that money is the driving mechanism that leads to social disorder. These models of conflict consider markets to be invariable and ubiquitous forms of economic performance. Strategic conflict theory cannot be confined to a reasonable conflict and the notion of “voluntary exchange” to embrace the consequences of this exchange (Mehrdad, 2009, p. 819).
Another dimension of the definition of social conflict is more concerned with threat power, as well as with real conflict situation, including war, revolutions, and terrorist activities. Unlike the first representation of conflict framework, real conflict theory does not relate to neutrality because it has a potent impact on economic performance.
With regard to the above-presented considerations, strategic conflict theory “…takes conflict for granted, but also assumptions common interest between the adversaries; it assumes a “rational” value-maximizing mode of behavior; and it focuses on the fact that each participants…choice of action dependent on what her expects the other to do” (Mehrdad, 2009, p. 820).
In this respect, strategic conflict theory cannot be restricted to methodological consideration because the framework also involves the exchange of services and goods, as well as exchange of power and threat.
In particular, “the conflict can be viewed as a process of strategic bargaining” (Mehrdad, 2009, p. 820). As a result, power relationships form the foundation of conflict development. More importantly, the theory affects economic performance and politics in a country.
Structural Functionalism
Theory of structural functionalism deals with the idea of functions of social structures that shape society at a macro level and a society as a whole. It also defines function of separate classes and distribution of responsibilities and roles contributing to the welfare of each member of society.
The division of labor is also among the main attributes of structural functionalism. Additionally, there are two essential components of functionalism (Jones, 2007). The first one involves movements that are triggered by people’s social needs. The second component implies the functionalism of collective mind consisting in a set of representative, epistemological, and practical functions (Jones, 2007).
In other words, collective consciousness guides individuals to make certain choices. Combination of functional aspects corresponds to existing patterns in society, as well as with how conscience uncovers the transformative potential of people.
Although the theory explains the macro level analysis of societal functions, it should still highlight the connection to the micro aspects. Specifically, Jones (2007) argues, “a reworked functionalism must now accommodate the reconciliation of the micro/micro, the link between action and order and reconstruction and tradition creation” (p. 86).
In this respect, structural functionalism deals with the concept of solidarity where social institutions are regarded as organs with certain functions.
More importantly, the framework introduces epistemological context within which function can be regarded either as “a system of living movements, abstracted from their consequences” or as “the relation of correspondence which exists between those movements and certain needs of the organism” (Jones, 2007, p. 88).
In other words, each function, including division of labor, should meet the needs of society, which is composed of members with various needs.
Structural functionalism also supports the concept of interdependent relationships that foster progressive development and dynamics of society. In this respect, “when the determination of variation of a phenomenon depends on that of others, then the first is a function of the second” (Jones, 2007, p. 92).
Consequently, functionalism implies that the cognitive function belongs to the internal order in society where the supreme function assigned to the collective consciousness that covers practical and intellectual functions.
Application of the Theory to the Newspaper Article
The article under analysis represents a confrontation between the health care field opposing the adoption of the reduction of health care coverage for refugees and government supporting the shortage of medical services funding. The given confrontation also discovers discrepancies in ideological and economic views on societal development.
Finally, the third perspective of the article correlates with the idea of class distinctions because of unintentional division of people into specific groups. The politics of distinctions and inequality contradicts human rights and freedoms and triggers discontent of one party.
More importantly, the conflict theory also justifies the power differentials represented in the article. All these aspects should be analyzed in more detail to find evidence of the connection of the article topic with the conflict theory.
The conflict theory implies opposition between the parties endowed with certain powers and pursuing common reasons. Consequently, the article is justified because it represents two confronting parties, the body that is responsible for immigrant policies and the one that adheres to health care protection standards.
The point is that Jason Kenney is more concerned with the welfare of the Canadian people and the economic development of the country whereas the health care institutions pay more attention to the quality of healthcare in whole. Discrepancies in interests, however, do not generate a violent struggle causing deterrence to masses.
To prove the idea, Sears and Cairns (2010) argue that societies are distinguished by inequality rather than by consensus because the former contributes to significant shifts in societal relations.
In particular, the Canadian sociologies states, “… social inequality amounts to exploitation…” where “…privileges of resources flow to those in positions of power, while the contribution of the disadvantaged is always undervalued” (Sears and Cairns, 2010, p. 22).
In this respect, the idea of the article excludes order and consensus as the basis of social relations because the problem is reflected as an opposition between the two ideological parties.
Ideological and economic views are also released through the conflict theory because the Immigrant Ministers looks at the problem from economic perspective related to particular social context whereas the physicians represent the social perspective in general and protect human rights as a whole irrespective of class and social status.
The class distinction is especially seen in the following passage in the article: “Mr. Kenney argues that the existing rules mean refugees are entitled to health benefits that are superior to those ordinary Canadians get from governments” (Galloway, 2012, n. p.). Thus, the minister divides the Canadian citizens into “refugees” and “ordinary Canadians” and, as a result, it can lead to the conflict between these created groups.
Aside from class controversies, there is deep economic angle which differently considered by both parities. In particular, the Immigrant Minister Kenney prioritizes economy whereas health care professionals are more concerned with physical and social welfare of individuals.
According to the conflict theory, class distinctions produced by governmental authorities do not lead to the destruction, but to its further transformation. In this respect, all the parties involved into the confrontation can be regarded as influential social forces driving progress in society.
In this respect, cuts in health care coverage for refugees produces further discontent among people leading to new actions and reforms on the part of other sources of powers that draws arguments from other sources. The conflict theory, therefore, sees the opposing parts do not represent themselves as victims, but as social actors.
The represented model relates to the idea of shared values and norms premised on inequality in contemporary society. In this respect, Sears and Cairns (2010) insist, “rather than a genuine consensus, [values and norms] are seen as ideologies that support the ruling order and perpetuate the disadvantaged status of the subordinate groups” (p. 22).
The article proves that dominating institutions and political powers play a vital role in directing and developing cultural practices that foster common interests of the dominant group. Because immigrants represent the minority population, it is deprived of certain privileges. The economic performance stands prior to the protection of human values and traditions, which contradicts the theory of structural functionalism.
In particular, the article is more premised on the conflict between the government and the society where power is given to the former. More importantly, the conflict is also revealed through the collective consciousness represented by various parties leading to significant transformations in society at all levels, including economic, political, and cultural.
In contrast to structural functionalism, the ideas represented in the articles cannot be justified because the theory does not support conflict as a trigger of progress. Rather, it is more focused on the interdependent development and cooperation between the identified social structures. In the article, health care providers and government cannot reach a consensus because their interests relate to completely various fields.
Besides, the article topic does not identify specific privileges and functions of each party concerned. Therefore, main thesis of the article is not congruent with the theory of structural functionalism.
More importantly, the theories could be heavily criticized for neglecting the idea of social change, which is evidently reflected by the author of the article. Therefore, the evidence found proves that the conflict theory suits best the article concepts and ideas.
Conclusion
The in-depth evaluation of the sociological event represented in the article underlines the main perspectives of conflict theory because of the presence of class considerations, social inequality, and power differentials. Specifically, the event provides a perspective of class distinctions due to the decision introduced by the government.
Based on social classification and inequality, the Immigrant Minister considers it reasonable to reduce health care coverage for the immigrants and prioritize the welfare of the Canadian residents. At the same time, there is also conflict based on the negligence of human rights and freedoms which prevent the minority groups to receive the correspondent medical help.
Power dominance also plays a pivotal role in roles distribution in society, as well as conflict emergence as the trigger of economic and social progress. Conflict theory, therefore, upholds the idea of subordination, which is the sign of civilized community.
The event does not support the structural functionalism because it is based on solidarity and order and neglect the idea of social change. It also upholds the values and traditions as the main functions of society. Therefore, it cannot be regarded as a platform for considering the events and concepts represented in the article.
References
Galloway, G. (2012, June). Doctors Will Monitor Cuts to Refugee Health Care. The Globe and The Mail. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/doctors-will-monitor-cuts-to-refugee-health-care/article4375864/
Jones, S. S. (2007). Functionalism of Mind And Functionalism Of Society: The Concept Of Conscience And Durkheim’s Division Of Social Labour. Durkheimian Studies, 13(1), 85-104.
Mehrdad, V. (2009). A Critical Review of Strategic Conflict Theory and Socio-Political Instability Models. Review of Economics and Politics. 6, 817-858.
Sears, A. and Cirns, J. (2010) A Good Book, in Theory: Making Sense Through Inquiry. Canada: University of Toronto Press.
Appendix: Newspaper Article
Doctors will monitor cuts to refugee health care
GLORIA GALLOWAY
OTTAWA — The Globe and Mail
Published Wednesday, Jun. 27 2012, 11:19 PM EDT
Last updated Wednesday, Jun. 27 2012, 11:24 PM EDT
Doctors say they will keep records of refugees who suffer serious untreated ailments or die as a result of health-care cuts planned by the federal government – and they will hound Conservative politicians with their findings.
Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care, a coalition of concerned health-care providers, said on Wednesday that it has has asked physicians and coroners across Canada to report any negative outcomes arising from the changes to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) that have been announced by Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.
Those stories will be relayed to the public, the media, and Conservative politicians, Philip Berger, chief of family and community medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, told a news conference.
“We will engage Conservative Members of Parliament wherever we can find them – at public events, at press announcements, and in their offices,” he said. “
The federal government currently pays for prescription drugs, but that assistance will end on the day before Canada Day.
Under the Interim Federal Health Program, Ottawa covers a range of health-care services for refugees who do not qualify for provincial health insurance.
Under the changes planned by Mr. Kenney, which will save the government about $20-million annually, refugees who are invited to come to Canada and those who arrive here from a country that is deemed to be unsafe will receive only basic medical care.
They will lose all the supplementary benefits, including prescription drug coverage unless the medication is for a disease that poses a “risk to public health.”
Those who come from a country that the government has declared to be safe, and those whose claims have been rejected but are still living in Canada, will be denied all treatment under the program unless they have a disease that poses a risk to public health or safety.
Mr. Kenney argues that the existing rules mean refugees are entitled to health benefits that are superior to those ordinary Canadians get from governments.
But the doctors say the benefits refugees currently receive are no different to those offered to hundreds of thousands of Canadians who are on welfare and other types of government assistance. Many refugees arrive poorer than the poorest Canadians, said Dr. Berger and “their health is often much worse because it has often been neglected for many years and they may have been through trauma and physical violence.”