| Conflict Theory |
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The essence of conflict theory is best epitomised 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 percieved 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 defenition 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 organisation or school club). In sum, conflict theory seeks to catalogue the ways in which those in power seek to stay in power. In understanding conflict theory, 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 competing interests rather than through adaptation. It is often abrupt and Revolution ary rather than Evolution ary. # 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. SEE ALSO REFERENCES |
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