Final answer:
Emile Durkheim is a key figure in functionalist theory within sociology, contributing foundational concepts like social solidarity, anomie, and the collective conscience. He emphasized the importance of studying social facts and collective behaviors to understand the functioning and stability of societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Emile Durkheim is a name associated with functionalist theory in sociology. He believed that society is a complex system of interrelated and interdependent parts that work together to maintain stability and social order. Durkheim's theory positioned that societies transition from a primitive to an industrial state, refocusing on the importance of meritocracy.
As a functionalist, Durkheim's insights compel us to see the collective behavior as different from individual actions and to study social facts, such as laws, morals, and religious beliefs, as the forces governing social life. This theoretical framework emphasizes the necessity of maintaining common values to ensure the continuous flow of society, which he termed dynamic equilibrium.