Conflict Theory : A Sociological Theory

It can also help to create incentives for work within the society. Conflict theory emphasizes the ways in which the groups in power use that power to disproportionately control and benefit from the resources within a society.

In addition, conflict theory is another method of viewing society, except this particular perspective is a microsociology method of analyzing society. Using conflict theory, means to take a closer look at the interactions between people within a society. In this case, Wal-Mart employees and factory workers will be studied.

The conflict perspective, or conflict theory, derives from the ideas of Karl Marx, who believed society is a dynamic entity constantly undergoing change driven by class conflict. Conflict theorists generally see social change as abrupt, even revolutionary, rather than incremental (https://courses.lumenlearning.com).

From a sociological perspective, the conflict theory focuses on opposing interests of groups and the struggle to agree on norms and over the control of scarce resources. It is very well known that people have their own definitions for things, different cultures, religions and values all come into account. Certain behaviors are defined as deviant or acceptable by powerful groups and because of failure of consensus with the other groups, conflict arises. When people in a position try to enforce conformity, this creates resistance and resentment; the result is a constant struggle throughout society to determine who has authority over what. The choice to abort or to choose life is either a life-saver to some or a crime to others. The conflict perspective

Conflict Theory was "influenced by Karl Marx's socioeconomic view of the elite exploiting the masses." (Parillo 12). The conflict perspective focuses on the inequalities that create racial and ethnic tensions between groups. In contrast to the fundamentalist's emphasis on stability, conflict theorists maintain, "Racism has much to do with maintaining power and controlling resources." Society is seen as being continually involved in struggles and disagreements as diverse groups struggle over limited resources. The system is hierarchical and characterized by social inequality. Conflict theorists argue that the rich and powerful force social order on the poor and weak and that existing social patterns benefit some people while depriving others. "Conflict theorists

Social conflict theory is a Marxist-based social theory which argues that individuals and groups (social classes) 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 in order to exploit groups with less power.[citation needed]

Arguing that exploitation lies at the core of most social relationships, Conflict Theory proposes that the rules by which society are governed are dictated by powerful actors, and that these serve to ultimately preserve the positions of those groups that hold power. This paradigm argues that the nature of society is inherently conflictual, and that social change only emerges when powerful actors are dislodged through mass-level collective action that is itself difficult to

Much like the name of the theory denotes, this theory is based upon the understanding that the society and its social structure is in continuous conflict tension, and racial struggle. The cause of this conflict is in the societal structure including all of the factors that make up a society. These factors might include everything from the labor market and the jobs available/unemployment, the housing and the rate of homelessness, the rate and implementation of healthcare. One major factor that is also connected to the conflict theory is the successful existence of education programs, or when considering the status of certain minorities, the lack of a strong education system. This conflict, or struggle throughout the society is split into two distinct groups.

The conflict theory views society as composed of different groups and interested in completing for power and resources (Barkan, 2005). The origins of the conflict theory can be traced back to the work of Karl Marx. Mr. Marx explained in his research that individuals and groups within civilization have differing amounts of materials and non-material resources and that the most powerful groups use their power in order to weary groups with less power (Barkan, 2005).

An example of conflict theory is competitiveness in businesses. Two businesses that produce the same good will fight so that people in society will chose one over the other. This competition drives prices to be lower and goods to be easily accessed. As a result the society thrives off the conflict these two businesses have because the competition is making goods

This is also a macro-level theory that is totally polar opposite from the previous theory. This theory can be viewed as a society who sees various groups within it fighting over power, prestige, and economic resources in order to one up another. The type of society who follows this theory to function involves much competition towards each other. This theory is one that follows a never ending cycle because even if a group fails and another one is created, there will always be a following group who will fight to gain their position. Karl Marx, who was the founder of conflict theory, believed that society should only function in two classes, the ones who owned businesses and the others were the ones who worked in those businesses (Claerbaut, 2015).

Conflict theory is when conflicts arise due to the limited resources, distributing power, and status unevenly also causes conflict between different social classes. Conflict theory helps to explain why our society is unstable. This theory examines the inequalities in money, gender, class, and age within today’s society.

Whichever groups have the power is a central concern of this theory. These Marxist statements are the central arguments of all conflict theorist's statements of truth. The second part of the conflict theorists assumptions is that the different parts of the social system as a whole are intertwined, not because of a shared value system, however, but because of the fact that one group is inherently dominant over the other. This dominance happens because one group, the dominant group, controls the resources. The third part of the assumptions of the conflict theorist is that society does not necessarily have needs, but individuals and groups do. Because the dominant group has the access to wealth, power and prestige, they have the ability to have their needs defined as "system needs." The fourth part of the conflict theorist's assumptions is the basic question of "Who benefits?" from the social arrangements of the day. On any issue in society, there are people who benefit and people who don't benefit. This conflict always gives the advantage to the stronger party. The fifth part of the conflict theorists system of assumptions is the conflict itself, which lends tension, hostility, competitions, disagreement over goals, and values, as well as violence. Not always are these issues negative, however. They can act as an adhesive to help join groups together in the pursuit of a positive goal. The sixth and final part of the

Conflict theory is the theory that human behavior in social contexts is the result of conflicts between competing groups, as different social groups, be they class-, gender- or race-defined, have unequal power and access to power, yet all groups compete for limited resources. This inevitably gives rise to tension and conflict, albeit often of the subtle variety, as oftentimes the conflicts between groups have been institutionalized in society to such a degree that the conflicts and tensions are such an expected part of society that the conflict, and inequality, itself disappears from public sight, and consciousness. For example, an adherent of a world systems theory of conflict would point to the global competition for resources, particularly the inequality between rich and poor nations struggling to provide the basic necessities of life to their inhabitants, as evidence of global conflict. Conflict theories seek to explain the interactions of groups within society, and assert that social order is preserved involuntarily through the exercise of power one social class holds over another (Lindsey, 2010, 7). The conflict between groups is not always obvious or apparent, so it must be unraveled and examined in order to identify and establish the impact of such conflict on society as a whole, as well as individual members and social groupings.

Conflict theory is “A major sociological perspective that sees society as a set of groups in constant competition over wealth, power, and prestige. (Larkin, 2015)” Conflict theory is a more view primarily stating