Notes on Dahrendorf

 Conflict Theory, like structural functionalism, offers a portrait of society, albeit one that is different in many
ways.
 Conflict Theorists Emphasize that;
-Every society at every point is subject to processes of change
-There is a dissension and conflict at every point in the social system
-Many societal elements contribute to disintegration and change
-Whatever order there is in society stems from the coercion of some members by those at the top
-There is the role of power in maintaining order in the society
-Society is held together by enforced constraint; thus, some positions in society are delegated power and
authority over others
 Systematic social conflicts are always caused by the differential distribution of authority

Society has two faces; conflict and consensus; society could not exist without these two which are prerequisites of
each other; we cannot have conflict unless there is some prior consensus
a. Consensus Theorists should examine value integration in society
b. Conflict Theorists should examine conflict of interests and the coercion that holds society together in the
face of these stresses

On Authority
-Various positions within society have different amounts of authority
-Authority does not reside in individuals but in positions (Authority attached to positions)
-Tracing the conflicts between positions that possess authority and those that are subject to that
authority

Dahrendorf’s Argument
 Society is composed of a number of units, called imperatively coordinated associations (associations of
people controlled by a hierarchy of authority positions. Since society contains many such associations, an
individual can occupy a position of authority in one and a subordinate position in another.)
 Authority within each is association is dichotomous; two conflict groups can be formed within any association.
These groups are those in position of authority and position of subordination; since they are holding contrary
interests
 Interest is not psychological but a large-scale (social) phenomena. Interests are linked to social positions and
not to the psychological characteristics of those within individuals who occupy these positions.
Interest of the authority; maintain status quo
Interest of the subordinate: change
Interests are objective in the sense that they are reflected in the expectations (roles) attached to
positions (need not to be conscious)
Latent Interests - unconscious interests that translate into objective role expectations
Manifest Interests - latent interests of which people have become conscious
 Conflict of interest can be latent, need not be conscious in order for superordinates or subordinates to act on
it.
 Analysis of the connection between latent and manifests interests is a major task of conflict theory

Three Broad Types of Groups

 Quasi Group - a number of individuals who occupy positions that have the same role interests
 Interest Group - possessing not only common interests but also a structure, a goal, and personnel. Have the
capacity to engage in group conflict.
 Conflict Group - those who actually engage in conflict

Relationship of Conflict to Change

-Functions of conflict to maintain the status quo
-Conflict leads to change and development
-Once conflict groups emerge, they engage in actions that lead to changes in social structure.
-When conflicts are intense, changes that occur are radical. When accompanied by violence, structural change will
be sudden
-Conflict and change, conflict and status quo; be sensitized to the dynamic relationships among the various
elements involved in this portrait of society