conflict theory

(noun)

A social science perspective that holds that stratification is dysfunctional and harmful in society, with inequality perpetuated because it benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor.

Related Terms

  • Intersectionality
  • functionalism
  • conflict perspective of aging
  • tax break
  • patriarchy
  • social stratification

Examples of conflict theory 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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