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14-September-2008 12:50:28 - Conflict theory Redirected from Conflict Theory For a position in the religion-science debate with a similar name, see: conflict thesis Conflict theory emphasizes the role that a person's or group's ability to exercise influence and control over others, in producing social order. It states that a society or organization functions so that each individual participant and its groups struggle to maximize their benefits, which inevitably contributes to social change such as changes in politics and revolutions. The theory is mostly applied to explain conflict between social classes, proletarian versus bourgeoisie; and in ideologies such as capitalism versus socialism. It is the theory that a continual struggle exists between all different aspects of a particular society. The struggle that occurs does not always have to involve physical violence. It can pertain to an underlying struggle for each group or individual within a society to maximize its own benefits. The theory was founded by Karl Marx, and later developed by theorists including Max Weber. Variants of conflict theory may depend on radical basic assumptions society is eternally in conflict, which might explain social change, or moderate ones custom and conflict are always mixed. The moderate version allows Functionalism as an equally acceptable theory since it would accept that even negative social institutions play a part in society's self-perpetuation.1 Contents 1 Essence 2 Stratification 3 Conflict theorists 4 Basic conflicts 5 Modes of conflict 6 Assumptions 7 See also 8 References Essence The essence of conflict theory is best epitomized by the classic 'pyramid structure' in which an elite dictates terms to the larger masses. All major institutions, laws, and traditions in the society are created to support those who have traditionally been in power, or the groups that are perceived to be superior in the society according to this theory. This can also be expanded to include any society's 'morality' and by extension their definition of deviance. Anything that challenges the control of the elite will likely be considered 'deviant' or 'morally reprehensible.' The theory can be applied on both the macro level like the US government or Soviet Russia, historically or the micro level a church organization or school club. In summary, conflict theory seeks to catalogue the ways in which those in power seek to stay in power. The conflict theory basically states that all problems are caused by different groups and their status and how they compete for the necessities in life. Stratification Stratification is the expression of the value system in any particular society. Conflict theories approach the problem of social inequality from the standpoint of the various individuals and subgroups within a society. Their needs and desires, rather than the needs of society as a whole. Lenski, 16 Social Inequality is created from the struggle of valued goods, respect, and services that are in short supply. Lenski, 16 Many organizations come from stratification and members of the elite class tend to connect their own interests with that of the organization they are associated with. Collins 100 Organizations survive, grow, or are picked off, not merely because of their internal processes, but as a part of a kind of local 'world system' or organizations around them. Collins 101 In other words, people that are in the highest class, or the elite, tend to use exploitation of people that are lower in the system to gain more benefits and rewards for themselves. In stratification, there are two ways in which the elite class uses power to protect themselves from being replaced in certain positions of society. One way is for a class to form a position where a person needs a certain expertise in order to hold that position. The second way is for a class to form a union. This tactic uses different contracts and the law to make certain positions irreplaceable. Stark, 250 Conflict theorists Conflict theory was elaborated in the United Kingdom by Max Gluckman 1911-1975 and John Rex 1925-..., in the United States by Lewis A. Coser 1913-2003 and Randall Collins 1941-..., and in Germany by Ralf Dahrendorf 1929-..., all of them being influenced by Ludwig Gumplowicz 1838-1909, Vilfredo Pareto 1848-1923, Georg Simmel 1858-1918, and greatly influenced by Karl Marx 1818-1883. The major foundation of the Conflict Theory was made in much attribute to Karl Marx. Basic conflicts In conflict theory there are a few basic conflicts. One of the basic conflicts in conflict theory is that of class. There are low and high ranks in class, and that gives a certain group more power over another group which causes conflicts. For the most part, when an individual is part of a high ranked class they usually own a lot of property. That means that if you are of a lower class, then you don't own as much property. This usually causes conflict on who owns the most property and what property one does own. In Marx's original conception, ownership of property was the most essential determinant of the class structure. On the other hand Weber thought that property ownership was only one factor determining class structure. Also, in the words of Jurgen Habermas, the conflicts of different social structures and classes provide the many motives it takes to create and preserve many patterns of culture. Another basic conflict in conflict theory is that of race and ethnicity. Much like in the class system, groups in this system are ranked by their prestige and power. This means that if a certain race or ethnicity has more education, prestige, and power then it is considered the better race or ethnicity which creates conflict. Another kind of conflict is that of gender. This type of conflict can be noticeable by the implication of a type of culture that is for men and a type of culture that is for women. Regions are another kind of conflict. This type of conflict is brought about by all of the different assumptions that people from one region have about people that are from another region. The regions could range from one country to another or one state/province to another. Lastly, there is the conflict of religion. The conflict of religion is itself quite stratified; even though there is a group of people belonging to each religion they are divided much like the social structure of classes. All of these groups seek to gain power and use it to reshape society the way they see it best. It seems that this is the determining factor in the ruling class. Modes of conflict In conflict theory there are different modes of conflict. One mode of conflict theory is that of warfare and revolution. Warfare and revolutions take place phases due to the rocky collations among a variety of social classes. An example of warfare is that going on currently in Burma, where there is military versus population fighting for control over the country's government. Another mode of conflict in conflict theory is that of strikes. Modern society has created a main social divider between workers and managers. When workers feel they have been treated unfairly, they go on strike to regain their right to power. Another mode of conflict in conflict theory is that of domination. Most social classes don't form their ideologies the same. Different groups will struggle in conflict over what they think is right, what the norms are, and their ideologies. Higher classes have more abstract ideologies, while subordinated classes that are much less to their advantage but still reflect the want in their own lives. The ideas of the ruling class are the ruling ideas, where the ruling material force is the ruling intellectual force. Assumptions The following are four primary assumptions of modern conflict theory:2 Competition. Competition over scarce resources money, leisure, sexual partners, and so on is at the heart of all social relationships. Competition rather than consensus is characteristic of human relationships. Structural inequality. Inequalities in power and reward are built into all social structures. Individuals and groups that benefit from any particular structure strive to see it maintained. Revolution. Change occurs as a result of conflict between competing social classes rather than through adaptation. Change is often abrupt and revolutionary rather than evolutionary. War. Even war is a unifier of the societies involved, as well as possibly ending whole societies. In modern society, a source of conflict is powerpoliticians are competing to enter into a system;they act in their self interest, not for the welfare of people. See also Social-conflict theory Important publications in conflict theory References ^ Otomar Jan Bartos 2002. Using Conflict Theory. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521794463. ^ War is a Complex, Multi-Symptom Disease Stark, Rodney 2007. Sociology, 10th ion. thomas wadsworth. ISBN 0495093440. Lenski, Gerhard E. 1966. Power and Privilege: A Theory of Social Stratificaion. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 070371652. Collins, Randall 1994. Four Sociological Traditions: Selected Readings. Oxford University Press.. ISBN 019508702X. Retrieved from http://en..org/wiki/Conflict_theory Categories: Sociology | Social philosophy | Theories of history | Sociocultural evolution Views Article Discussion this page History Personal tools Log in / create account Navigation Main page Contents Featured content Current events Random article Search Go Search Interaction Community portal Recent changes Contact Donate to Help Toolbox What links here Related changes Upload file Special pages Printable version Permanent link Cite this page Languages العربية Deutsch Eesti Español Français עברית 日本語 中文 This page was last modified on 4 September 2008, at 02:43
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