Final answer:
The term for the conceptual framework that posits each element of society serves a function to maintain system equilibrium is functionalism. This theory, deeply rooted in the works of Durkheim, Radcliff-Brown, and Spencer, explains how social institutions work together to maintain stability and address societal challenges.
Step-by-step explanation:
Functionalism in Sociology
The term that describes a conceptual framework positing that each element of society serves a particular function to keep the entire system in equilibrium is functionalism, also known as structural-functional theory. This perspective was developed from the ideas of several thinkers, including Emile Durkheim, who emphasized that social institutions work together to maintain stability and enable society to function smoothly. Herbert Spencer compared society to a living organism where different parts, such as government, education, family, healthcare, and economy, function like organs working to meet the biological and social needs of the individuals. Functionalism recognises that societal harmony is achieved through the interconnectivity and function of these institutions, striving for a state of dynamic equilibrium.
In a functioning society, challenges like racial inequalities can cause social tensions, as observed in the protests following the death of George Floyd. To address these issues and return society to a state of balance, the functionalist approach would suggest that compensatory adjustments are necessary to restore or achieve new equilibrium. Thus, functionalism helps to explain not only how societies maintain order and stability but also how they adapt to changes and challenges over time.