Here's a structured 2500-word analysis on the listed sociological perspectives, following a Notion-compatible format and suitable for UPSC preparation:

🧠 Sociological Perspectives: Structure, Action, and Levels of Analysis

1. Only Macro Perspective

Focus: Large-scale social structures, institutions, and systems.

Key Thinkers: Émile Durkheim, Karl Marx

🔹 Émile Durkheim (Structural Functionalism)

• Society is a complex system with interrelated parts working for stability and equilibrium.
• Concepts:
  • Social Facts – ways of acting, thinking, and feeling external to the individual (e.g., norms, laws).
  • Division of Labour – increasing specialization fosters social solidarity (mechanical vs organic solidarity).
• Durkheim’s work on suicide is a classic example of macro-level analysis: linking suicide rates with social integration and regulation.
• Society shapes individuals through collective conscience and moral regulation.

🔹 Karl Marx (Conflict Theory)

• Society is shaped by material/economic forces; class conflict is the engine of social change.
• Historical Materialism: Macro-level framework focusing on:
  • Base (economy) determines Superstructure (politics, culture).
  • Bourgeoisie vs Proletariat: Class antagonism under capitalism.
• Macro approach: Institutions like religion, education serve dominant class interests.

🔎 Critique:

• Ignores individual agency.
• Overemphasis on stability (Durkheim) or conflict (Marx).

2. Only Micro Perspective

Focus: Small-scale interactions between individuals or small groups.