Recognizing, as they must, that social structures are forever
changing, functional analysts must nevertheless explore the interdependent
and often mutually supporting elements of social structure. In general,
it seems that most societies are integrated to the extent that many, if
not all, of their several elements are reciprocally adjusted. Social
structures do not have a random assortment of attributes, but these are
variously interconnected and often mutually sustaining. To recognize
this, is not to adopt an uncritical affirmation of every status quo; to
fail to recognize this, is to succumb to the temptations of radical utopianism
(1968, pp. 94-95).