Difference between revisions of "Conflict theory" - New World Encyclopedia

Revision as of 00:59, 7 November 2006

In sociology, conflict theory states that the 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. The theory attempts to refute functionalism, which considers that societies and organization function so that each individual and group plays a specific role, like organs in the body. There are 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 for functionalism to operate as an equally acceptable theory since it would accept that even negative social institutions play a part in society's self-perpetuation.

The history of conflict theory could be traced back to thinkers such as Machiavelli or Hobbes, both of whom viewed humanity cynically.

Conflict theory

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 designed 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. "It is in the interests of those who have wealth to keep and extend what they own, whereas it is in the interests of those who have little or no wealth to try to improve their lot in life" [1]. 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.

In understanding conflict theory, social class competition plays a key part.

The following are four primary assumptions of modern conflict theory:

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 social class' competing interests rather than through adaptation. It is often abrupt and revolutionary rather than evolutionary.
War. Even war is a unifier of the societies involved, as well as war may set an end to whole societies.

Conflict theory was elaborated e. g. in the United Kingdom by Max Gluckman and John Rex, in the United States by Lewis A. Coser and Randall Collins, and in Germany by Ralf Dahrendorf, all of them being less or more influenced by Karl Marx, Ludwig Gumplovicz, Vilfredo Pareto, Georg Simmel, and other founding fathers of European sociology.

Marx and Conflict Theory

Marx argued that property is upheld by the state, making property struggles into political struggles between owners and renters, capitalists and workers, and other groups. Material conditions determine the ability of any of these groups to organize effectively politically. These material conditions are also what enables a group to propagate their views to others in society. Because the owners clearly have an advantage in material wealth, their views are spread more easily. [2]

For Marx, the conflict clearly arises because all things of value to man result from human labor. According to Marx, capitalists exploit workers for their labor and do not share the fruits of these labors equally. This exploitation is what allows the owning classes to dominate politically and to impose their ideology on the workers of the world. [3]

Weber and Conflict Theory

Max Weber refined Marx's conflict theory. Weber stated that more than one conflict over property existed at any given moment in any given society, which is more nuanced than Marx's theory that the only struggle of importance was that between owners and workers. Weber included an emotional aspect of conflict as well. The state has the power to create status groups, which dominate people's persona as they are defined socially [4].

Conflict Theory Applied to Society

Conflict theory offers a useful lens with which to analyze society. One might use this theory to explain the enmity between rich and poor within any society. This enmity could be expressed emotionally, verbally, or physically. Applying the theory to notable class conflicts is possible. Events such as the 'Battle in Seattle' over global trade or the French Revolution serve as two examples.

External links

UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT AND WAR: VOL. 2: THE CONFLICT HELIX By R.J. Rummel
Class, State, And Crime: Social Conflict Perspective
The Basics of Conflict Theory from Collins, Randall. 1974. Conflict Sociology. New York, NY: Academic Press. pp.56-61.

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

History of "Conflict theory"

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 In [[sociology]], '''conflict theory'''  states that the 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 [[revolution]]s. The theory is mostly applied to explain conflict between social classes, [[proletarian]] versus [[bourgeoisie]]; and in ideologies such as [[capitalism]] versus [[socialism]]. The theory attempts to refute [[Functionalism (sociology)|functionalism]], which considers that societies and organization function so that each individual and group plays a specific role, like organs in the body. There are 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 for functionalism to operate as an equally acceptable theory since it would accept that even negative social institutions play a part in society's self-perpetuation.
+The history of conflict theory could be traced back to thinkers such as [[Machiavelli]] or [[Hobbes]], both of whom viewed humanity cynically.
 ==Conflict theory==
-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 designed 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 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 designed 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. "It is in the interests of those who have wealth to keep and extend what they own, whereas it is in the interests of those who have little or no wealth to try to improve their lot in life" [http://www.sociology.org.uk/p2t3.htm]. 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.
 In understanding conflict theory, social class [[competition]] plays a key part.
@@ Line 17: / Line 21: @@
 Conflict theory was elaborated e. g. in the United Kingdom by [[Max Gluckman]] and [[John Rex]], in the United States by [[Lewis A. Coser]] and [[Randall Collins]], and in Germany by [[Ralf Dahrendorf]], all of them being less or more influenced by [[Karl Marx]], [[Ludwig Gumplovicz]], [[Vilfredo Pareto]], [[Georg Simmel]], and other founding fathers of European sociology.
-==Social conflict theory==
+==Marx and Conflict Theory==
-'''Social conflict theory''' is a [[Marxist]]-based [[social theory]] which argues that individuals and [[group (sociology)|group]]s ([[social class]]es) within society have differing amounts of material and non-material resources (the wealthy vs. the poor) and that the more powerful groups use their [[power (sociology)|power]] in order to exploit groups with less power. The two methods by which this [[exploitation]] is done are through [[Weber's Thesis|brute force]] and [[economics]]. Earlier social conflict theorists argue that [[money]] is the mechanism which creates social [[disorder]]. The theory further states that [[society]] is created from ongoing [[social conflict]] between various groups.
+Marx argued that property is upheld by the state, making property struggles into political struggles between owners and renters, capitalists and workers, and other groups. Material conditions determine the ability of any of these groups to organize effectively politically. These material conditions are also what enables a group to propagate their views to others in society. Because the owners clearly have an advantage in material wealth, their views are spread more easily. [http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/jhamlin/2111/Conflict_Theory/Conflict%20Theory.htm]
-[[Image:Homeless_-_American_Flag.jpg|right|thumb|200px|A homeless American.]]
+For Marx, the conflict clearly arises because all things of value to man result from human labor. According to Marx, capitalists exploit workers for their labor and do not share the fruits of these labors equally. This exploitation is what allows the owning classes to dominate politically and to impose their ideology on the workers of the world. [http://web.grinnell.edu/courses/soc/s00/soc111-01/IntroTheories/Conflict.html]
-[[Image:John-D-Rockefeller-sen.jpg|left|thumb|200px|[[Rockefeller|Oil Tycoon: John D. Rockefeller]]]]
-"Consider paying [[renting|rent]] towards housing. The conflict theorist argues that this relationship is unequal and favors the owners. Renters may pay rent for 50 years and still gain absolutely no right or economic interest with the property. It is this type of relationship which the conflict theorist will use to show that social relationships are about [[power (sociology)|power]] and exploitation."
+==Weber and Conflict Theory==
+[[Max Weber]] refined Marx's conflict theory. Weber stated that more than one conflict over property existed at any given moment in any given society, which is more nuanced than Marx's theory that the only struggle of importance was that between owners and workers. Weber included an emotional aspect of conflict as well. The state has the power to create status groups, which dominate people's persona as they are defined socially [http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/jhamlin/2111/Conflict_Theory/Conflict%20Theory.htm].
-Padgitt continues, "Marx argued that through a [[dialectic]] process, [[social evolution]] was directed by the result of [[class conflict]]. Marxism argues that [[human]] [[history]] is all about this conflict, a result of the strong-rich exploiting the poor-weak. From such a perspective, [[money]] is made through the exploitation of the [[worker]]. It is argued thus, that in order for a factory [[owner]] to make money, he must pay his workers less than they deserve."
-==References==
-{{Unreferenced}}
+==Conflict Theory Applied to Society==
+Conflict theory offers a useful lens with which to analyze society. One might use this theory to explain the enmity between rich and poor within any society. This enmity could be expressed emotionally, verbally, or physically. Applying the theory to notable class conflicts is possible. Events such as the 'Battle in Seattle' over global trade or the French Revolution serve as two examples.
@@ Line 35: / Line 36: @@
 * [http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/TCH.CHAP27.HTM UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT AND WAR: VOL. 2: THE CONFLICT HELIX By R.J. Rummel]
 * [http://www.wowessays.com/dbase/af5/mrh79.shtml Class, State, And Crime: Social Conflict Perspective]
-* [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/critical-theory/ Critical Theory]
-*[http://web.grinnell.edu/courses/soc/s00/soc111-01/IntroTheories/Conflict.html Conflict Theory]
 *[http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/jhamlin/2111/Conflict_Theory/Conflict%20Theory.htm The Basics of Conflict Theory] from Collins, Randall. 1974. ''Conflict Sociology''. New York, NY: Academic Press. pp.56-61.
 {{Credit2|Conflict_theory|85486475|Social_conflict_theory|85165443|}}