Parsons propôs quatro funções essenciais ou requisitos fundamentais para que um sistema social continue em funcionamento, que são:

Which of the following is an executive check on the powers of the judicial branch of government? a. presides over senate during hearing to impeach the president b. enforces term limits for supreme court justices c. nominates supreme court justices and federal judges d. casts tie-breaking vote if the supreme court cannot reach a verdict