Conflict Theories

(noun)

Perspectives in social science that emphasize the social, political, or material inequality of a social group, critique the broad socio-political system, or otherwise detract from structural functionalism and ideological conservatism.

Related Terms

  • Weberian
  • Marxist Theory

Examples of Conflict Theories in the following topics:

  • Conflict Theory

    • Provide an overview of conflict theory, including its most prominent theorists.
  • Conflict Theory

    • A prominent sociological theory that is often contrasted with structural-functionalism is conflict theory.
    • Conflict theory was developed in part to illustrate the limitations of structural-functionalism.
    • Conflict theory was elaborated in the United Kingdom by Max Gluckman and John Rex, in the United States by Lewis A.
    • This is particularly true of structural-functionalism and social-conflict theories.
    • Structural-functionalism focuses on equilibrium and solidarity; conflict-theory focuses on change and conflict.
  • Conflict

    • Conflict theory emphasizes interests deployed in conflict, rather than the norms and values.
    • Thus, the theory sees conflict as a normal part of social life, rather than an abnormal occurrence.
    • The three tenets of conflict theory are as follows:
    • According to the principles of conflict theory, all cooperation is only for the purpose of acquiring individual or group resources.
    • Discuss how various groups in society compete for resources, status and power within society, known as conflict theory
  • The Conflict Perspective

    • 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.
    • Wright Mills is known as the founder of modern conflict theory.
    • While functionalism emphasizes stability, conflict theory emphasizes change.
    • Predictably, conflict theory has been criticized for its focus on change and neglect of social stability.
    • Identify the tenets of and contributors to conflict theory, as well as the criticisms made against it
  • The Conflict Perspective on Deviance

    • Conflict theories emphasize the social, political, or material inequality of a social group, that critique the broad socio-political system.
    • Conflict theories draw attention to power differentials, such as class conflict, and generally contrast historically dominant ideologies.
    • Karl Marx is the father of the social conflict theory, which is a component of the four paradigms of sociology.
    • In conflict theory, deviant behaviors are actions that do not comply with social institutions.
    • Conflict theory is based upon the view that the fundamental causes of crime are the social and economic forces operating within society.
  • The Conflict Perspective

    • Conflict theory argues that the economic and political structures of a society create social divisions, inequalities, and conflicts.
    • Certain conflict theories set out to highlight the ideological aspects inherent in traditional thought.
    • Wright Mills has been called the founder of modern conflict theory.
    • Conflict theory is most commonly associated with Marxism, but as a reaction to functionalism and the positivist method, it may also be associated with a number of other perspectives, including critical theory, feminist theory, postmodern theory, post-structural theory, postcolonial theory, queer theory, world systems theory, and race-conflict theory.
    • Examine the differing views on conflict theory from various sociologists, such as Karl Marx and C.
  • The Conflict Perspective

    • Conflict theory suggests that men, as the dominant gender, subordinate women in order to maintain power and privilege in society.
    • According to conflict theory, society is defined by a struggle for dominance among social groups that compete for scarce resources.
    • In the context of gender, conflict theory argues that gender is best understood as men attempting to maintain power and privilege to the detriment of women.
    • According to conflict theory, social problems are created when dominant groups exploit or oppress subordinate groups.
    • Conflict between the two groups caused things like the Women's Suffrage Movement and was responsible for social change.
  • Intergenerational Conflict

    • This social theory suggests that conflict between older and younger generations occurs as they compete for resources and jobs .
    • The conflict perspective of aging is a strand of general sociological conflict theory, which is the theory that sees conflict as a normal aspect of social life rather than as an abnormal occurrence.
    • The theory developed in 1980s as unemployment rose dramatically.
    • As such, the economic climate of the era in which the theory developed influenced the content of the theory itself.
    • According to conflict theory, generations of people are in competition with one another for power and resources.
  • The Conflict Perspective: Class Conflict and Scarce Resources

    • Conflict theory of stratification holds that inequality is harmful to society because it creates a fixed system of winners and losers.
    • Conflict theorists argue that stratification is dysfunctional and harmful in society.
    • According to conflict theory, social stratification benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor.
    • According to conflict theory, capitalism, an economic system based on free-market competition, particularly benefits the rich by assuming that the "trickle down" mechanism is the best way to spread the benefits of wealth across society.
    • Compare the conflict theory of inequality to the funcionalist theory of inequality
  • The Conflict Perspective

    • For Karl Marx, class conflict was most prominent; other theorists saw racial and ethnic conflict as more significant.
    • The classical conflict perspective pioneered by Karl Marx saw all forms of inequality subsumed under class conflict.
    • Other early conflict theorists saw racial and ethnic conflict as more central.
    • Since the social, political, and cultural upheavals of the 1960s, there has been a wellspring of conflict theory-inspired analyses of race and ethnicity, many of which eventually developed into an overlapping focus on the intersectional nature of various forms of conflict and oppression.
    • Intersectionality is a feminist sociological theory first highlighted by leading critical theorist thinker KimberlĂ© Crenshaw (1989).
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