Using a sociological approach

Functionalism: The view that social institutions are important for their contributions to social stability. The functionalist perspective is very conservative and skeptical of rapid social change.

Conflict Theory: The view that society is composed of groups with different interests arising from their placement in the social structure. Conflict theory is the opposite of functionalism. Conflict theory proposes that various parts of society contribute to ongoing inequality, whereas functionalism proposes that various parts of society contribute to its stability. Conflict theory is a progressive perspective that is in favor of social change.

Symbolic Interactionism: This theory focuses on the meanings that people gain from social interaction. This is a constructionist theory. The symbolic interactionist theory proposes that people do not simply learn the roles that are predetermined for them, but they construct these roles as they interact with other people. According to this theory, social order occurs, because people learn what symbols mean and apply these meanings to different kinds of situations.

Rational Choice Theory: This theory proposes that people interact in order to maximize their benefits or advantages and minimize their disadvantages. According to this theory, social order is possible, because people realize it will be in their best interests to cooperate and to make compromises when necessary.

Assignment 3

Part B: What do the theories say?

1. Functionalism: The functionalist view would emphasize that the government is one of the most powerful and important social institutions in our society, and we need the government in order to maintain social order. The government must monitor communications in order to protect us, maintain social order, and stay on top of the rapid technological advances in modern society.

2. Conflict Theory: Conflict theory would emphasize that the government’s desire to maintain the status quo by monitoring our communication is in direct conflict with people’s desire to evolve and embrace technology and their right to free speech. The advent of technology has allowed information and ideas to spread more quickly. This includes ideas that are in favor of social change. The government monitors our communication in order to maintain power and control over our lives and to prevent social change. This borders on censorship, and violates the freedoms that we are entitled to by the Constitution.

3. Symbolic Interactionism: The symbolic interactionism view would propose that the government has had to evolve over the course of history as society has evolved. It is for this reason that our Constitution is a living document that can be amended according to the changing times. The main goal of a government is to maintain a certain amount of order. In the past, communication was slower and simpler. Now that we are in the age of information, the government has had to learn to address new problems that have accompanied the advent of technology. Monitoring our communication is one way that the government has responded to this change in society. The interaction between the government and the citizens will determine how communication is handled in the future.

4. Rational Choice Theory: Rational choice theory would emphasize that in order to maintain social order the government—as the main organizing body in our society—must consider what is best everyone in the society as a whole and try to maximize the benefits for all people while minimizing the potential consequences. Technology has advanced at such a rapid pace that the government has barely had time to respond and consider all potential scenarios and their consequences. The government realizes that it must compromise with its citizens in order to avoid rebellion. The government must work to maintain social order, keep citizens safe, but still protect the rights and freedoms to which all citizens are entitled.