Final answer:
Functionalists prefer stability in society and view change as potentially disruptive. They emphasize the roles of social institutions and structures in maintaining order, but have faced criticism for not adequately explaining social change.
Step-by-step explanation:
Functionalists believe in maintaining order and stability in society rather than advocating for change. They view government and politics as tools to enforce norms and regulate potential conflicts. The perspective of functionalism emphasizes consensus and the interrelatedness of society's components, placing a focus on the importance of social structures in providing stability and maintaining social balance.
However, functionalism has been criticized for its inability to adequately explain social change, since it leans heavily towards understanding the functions of repeated behavior patterns and social structures that contribute to societal equilibrium. According to functionalists, dysfunctions in society, like inequality and discrimination, can lead to social problems which necessitate change to restore societal balance or achieve a new equilibrium.