Conflict Theory

By: Erin Lepird, Sicily Canny, Mago Saldana

Conflict theory vs Marxism

Conflict theory: power is the core of ALL social relationships Marxism: much like conflict theory but power is gained through economics

Characterized

by an economic struggle between the haves and have-nots.

Conflict Theory
Alternative to functionalism Macrosociological theoretical perspective Resentment and hostility are constant elements of society Power differences among social classes Special interest groups fight over scarce resources of society

Interest

groups fight to gain advantages over

others

Conflict Theory (Contd)

Competition puts society off-balance until dominant group gains control and stability through power

Influences

Karl Marx (1818-1883)

Humanist: wanted all individuals to reach their full human potential Believed humans make their own history (historical method)

Controlling

material production division of labor formation of economic social classes Class struggle

Trying to combine material and ideal factors/ structural and cultural factors

Marx (contd)

1.

2.

Society was a two-class system: Bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) Proletariat (workers)

Marx (contd)
Class differences have a lot to do with possession of personal property Believed the exploited would become conscious and unite communism elimination of class struggle Main ideas behind communism are stated in the communist manifesto

Max Weber (1864-1920)

Agreed with Marx (economics played a central role in power distinction). Believed in Two other factors:
1.

Social prestige (status)

Example: someone could be poor and still hold a lot of power because of social prestige Mother Theresa
Example: Politician who has great power, but does not earn a big salary

2.

Political influence

Max Weber (contd)

Weber defined power as the ability to impose ones will on another, even when the other objects (p. 72 CST) Authority: legitimate power; used with consent of the ruled Distribution of power and authority = basis of social conflict HOWEVER: if subordinates believe in the authority= avoided conflict

If authority is not recognized as a legitimate= conflict

Max Weber (contd)

People with power want to keep it People w/out power want to seek it 3 types of authority:
1. 2. 3.

Rational-legal Traditional charismatic

Georg Simmel (1858-1918)

Wanted to develop a mathematics of society

Collection of statements about human relationships and social behavior

Disagreed with Marx that social classes are formed horizontally There are differences in power and opinions within each group.

Georg Simmel (1858-1918)

Concepts and contributions:

Rejects organic theory Saw society as the sum of individual interaction The most important relationship is between leaders and followers, superior and subordinates

Superiordinate

and subordinate have a reciprocal

relationship

Georg Simmel (1858-1918)

Believed social action always involves harmony and conflict, love and hatred (p.74) Secrecy: people who hold secrets are in a position of power. Some groups are formed around secrets and are known as secret societies

are usually in conflict with the greater society Initiation creates hierarchy

Modern Conflict Theory

1. 2.

Ideas of Marx, Weber, and Simmel resurfaced in America in the 1950s through two German Sociologists: Lewis Coser Ralph Dahrendorf

Lewis Coser (1913-2003)

Defined conflict as a struggle over values and claims to scarce status, power and resources in which the aims of the opponents are to neutralize, injure, or eliminate their rivals. Conflicts between intergroups and intragroups are part of social life

Lewis Coser (1913-2003)

1. 2. 3.

Conflict is part of relationships and is not necessarily a sign of instability Conflict serves several functions: Leads to social change Can stimulate innovation During times of war threat, can increase central power

Lewis Coser (1913-2003)

Explored sixteen propositions of conflict through functions Thought that conflict= boundaries between different groups unity between individual members of that group and determines boundaries of power

Ralf Dahrendorf (1929- )

Social order is maintained by force from the top Tension is constant Extreme social change can happen at any time there cannot be conflict unless some degreee of consensus has already been established (p. 89) Once reached, conflict temporarily disappears

C. Wright Mills (1916-1962)

Work centered around power Several dimensions of inequality (like Weber) Power can be independent from economic class Version of conflict theory-closer to Webers than Marx

C. Wright Mills (1916-1962)

1. 2. 3.

Concept of power elite, rather than ruling class=difference between Marx and Mills There is a triangle of power: Military Industry Politics White-collar world kept power elite on top

C. Wright Mills (1916-1962)

There are three types of power: 1. Authority: power justified by the beliefs of the voluntarily obedient 2. Manipulation: power wielded unknown to the powerless 3. Coercion: the final form of power, where the powerless are forced to obey the powerful

Randall Collins (1941- )

power and status are fundamental relational dimensions at the micro level of social interaction and perhaps at the macro level as well (p. 96) Collins believes there are certain goods that every group wants to pursue

Wealth, power, and prestige

Concluded that coercion and the ability to force others to behave a certain way are the primary basis of conflict (p.96)

Randall Collins (1941- )

Had a stratified approach to conflict that had 3 basic principles and 5 principles of conflict analysis

Individual actions

Social Structure

Relevancy
Maintains that what social order does, is the result of power elites coercion of masses Those without power seek social change Two class system by Marx Contemporary conflict theorists dont limit power to just economics, but also look at other issues

Relevancy (contd)

1.

2. 3.

Three criticisms of conflict theory: Ignores other ways (i.e. non-forceful ways in which people reach agreements Sides with people who lack power Focuses on economic factors as the sole issue for all conflict in society

This primarily is for Marxs approach

Relevancy (contd)
Differences in power are in all types of interaction Power used to be physical, but now, its legal and economic