Strengths And Weaknesses Of Conflict Theory

Conflict perspective emphasizes on inequality through the division of groups among poor and rich class.

Where there is classism, there is conflict. Conflict theory was portrayed in “The Devil in the White City”. Conflict theory argues that individuals and social classes within society have differing amounts of material resources (Savur, 1975, 3). However, the more powerful groups use

The extremes of income are the main cause of class related conflicts. The presence of a middle

The society is full of inequity. Therefore, where there is inequity, there will be conflict. Between the poor and the elite as well as the ones with power and the ones do not, those groups or individuals competes with each other to over various resources, leading to particular distributions of wealth, status, and power in societies. Just like in the Lemon Grove Incident, the conflict generated between the Lemon Grove Neighbors Committee and the Lemon Grove School Board.

This shows relation to the ‘conflict theory’, because different social groups are not treated equally.

what impact does that have on a society. Conflict theory examines the rift between the rich and

The functionalist theory is a sociological approach emphasizing how parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability. An example of this is racist beliefs discouraging a minority group from trying to question their lower status in order to maintain stability. Another example of functionalist theory is racial ideologies justifying and encouraging existing practices for social movement. Conflict theory is an approach that assumes that the social structure is understood the most in terms of conflict or tension between minority and majority groups. An example of this is an idea called blaming the victim.

Have you ever noticed a divide in society between the privileged and who's who are not? Such as someone who is rich versus someone who is poor. This is what we call Conflict theory. How conflict theory is applied to our everyday lives can be seen through many different ideas brought about by these conflict theorists. Whether or not I agree or disagree with this theory, will be determined by the factors and situations that conflict theory has to show.

Conflict theorist have an opposing view, that the inequality seen in society is a result of domination and coercion where those with power, wealth and prestige exploit those without to maintain their standings. They believe that that every person and class are fighting over a limited number of resources and each is competing for an advantage. Wealth inequality is unfair because the elites, those in control of “societal resources” use those resources to perpetuate their own standing by shaping the belief system of society, controlling the distribution of resources, and blocking the mobility and opportunities of the poor. Because the wealth inequality is inherently unfair, conflict theorist argue that the disadvantaged in society should be given support by redirecting the “societal resources” to those in need. [9]

The conflict theory explains that there is always a disparity that exists in the society due to the presence of limited resources as well as the variations in the skills and knowledge. It will always happen that in the society there are the wealthy and elite, the middle-class people and the poor who have the lower status in the society. The children from these social statuses will always have varying education success, employment opportunities and eventually economic success (Zucman, 2014).

1) Based on your readings, in class lectures, notes and discussions, in one to two

According to the conflict theory on social stratification, those in the upper levels of a stratification structure hold a monopoly over the community's or society's desirables and the use of their monopoly to dominate others. In "Imagine a County", it reads about the US school systems that are rigged in favor of the already-privleged, with the lower caste children tracked by race and income into deficient and demoralizing classrooms. Public schools budgets are determined by property taxes, allowing the higher income districts to spend more money than the lower income districts. When talking about conflict theory, there are the bourgeoisie and the proletariats, which in this instance are the wealthy and the less fortunate. The wealthy schools are packed with well stocked libraries, and the poor schools are lucky to have up to date books. This not only causes conflict between the two "classes", but a high level of inequality as well. These elements of this society tend to contribute to the instability and inequality of this society.

The limestone quarry that is now a swimming hole, is an example of how the geography of Bloomington, Indiana shows the conflict theory between the students and citizens. It’s where Mike and Rod raced and argued. The Cutters are on the ragged rocks while the college students are on the cliffs. It shows how the Cutters respect where they live and their difference in class. I believe that the University itself reveals evidence of the conflict theory. The building was built with limestone. If it weren’t for the Cutters, the students wouldn’t be there. Yet, the students believe the citizens of Bloomington are below

215 chapter 8 Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials) this is to suggest that the different classes in society are in conflict because the more powerful groups maintain and control the distribution of resources, rewards, privileges and opportunities by exploiting the less powerful. They also believe that inequality is a result of profits being generated from the cost of labour being less than the cost of the goods and services being produced from that labour, also known as the surplus value. Conflict theorists do not believe that stratification is functional for society, or that it serves as a source of stability. Rather, they believe that stratification will lead to instability and social change.

The conflict theory believes that stratification occurs through a conflict between different classes, with the upper classes using superior power to take a larger share of the social resources (Social Stratification, Definition Social Stratification, n.d.). The conflict theorist argues that social stratification causes an inequality in society.