MA. MACYBET M.

GO
HUMSS-HU22
DISCIPLINE AND IDEAS IN SOCIAL SCIENCES

TERM PAPER

“CONFLICT THEORY”

Conflict theory is a theory yielded by Karl Marx, he claims that society is a state
of perpetual conflict due to competition for limited resources. It holds that social order is
maintained by domination and power, rather than consensus and conformity. According
to the conflict theory, those with money and power try to hold on to it by any means
possible, predominantly by overpowering the poor and powerless.

Marx’s conflict theory only focused on the conflict between two primary classes.
The bourgeoisie, it represents the members of society who hold the majority of the
wealth. While the proletariat, it includes to those considered working people or poor.
With the increase of capitalism, he hypothesized that the bourgeoisie, a minority within
the population, would use their influence to coerce the proletariat, the majority class.

The uneven distribution within conflict theory was foretold to be sustained

through ideological coercion where the bourgeoisie would force acceptance of the
recent conditions by the proletariat. Marx further believed that as the working class and
poor were subjected to falling conditions, a collective consciousness would bring the
inequality to light and potentially result in revolt. If conditions were subsequently
adjusted to address the concerns of the proletariat, the conflict circle would eventually
repeat.

I interviewed Mrs. Vanessa, a manager in a bank; it is about conflict theory in

related to her work. She said that sometimes during their work, sometimes the bank
teller or the cashier got problems. Sometimes, they will encounter their stress woman or
man, and they should extend their patience about it. She shared about the person that
she cannot forget,” One time it was sunny day and the weather was too hot. Then, I
noticed that one of my co-worker was trying hard to explain it and I came over to my co-
worker and asked her if what is going on? Then she explained it, I told to the customer
to just calm down but the customer wants to receive what he wants. And it was so hard
to talked to him. After a few minutes, I calmed him down then we settle it in a proper
way.” Before, Mrs. Vanessa thought that customer is a moderate level to deal with but
there were few people was difficult to deal with but they were thankful that even though
they are difficult to deal after a while, it is easy for them to settle in a good way.
MA. MACYBET M. GO
HUMSS-HU22
DISCIPLINE AND IDEAS IN SOCIAL SCIENCES