Karl Marx and

Georg Simmel

Conflict Theory
Sociology 1200
Question 15

Compare and contrast Karl

Marx (1818 – 1883) and
Georg Simmel (1858 – 1918)
conflict theory.
 Pursuant to conflict theory, tensions and conflicts occur when
society's resources, position, and power are unequally allocated,
and these conflicts become the catalyst for social transformation.
Control of material resources and accumulated riches, control of
Conflict Theory politics and the institutions that make up society, and one's social
status relative to others are all examples of power in this context
(determined not just by class but by race, gender, sexuality, culture,
and religion, among other things). (Crossman, 2019)
 Who was Karl Marx?
1818 - 1883

Critic of
Author Communist
Capitalism
 Who was Karl Marx?
1818 - 1883

Capitalism though essential, Marx saw

Marx believed and supported
that wealth—along with the political
communism (a political & economic
Author of the Communist Manifesto, authority and economic opportunities
system that seeks to create a classless
Wage-Labour & Capital, and the three- that came with it—was dispersed
society in which the major means of
volume collection: The Capital unequally. The capitalists benefit while
production are owned and controlled
the laborers are paid a pittance for
by the public.)
lengthy hours of labour.
 Karl Marx’s Conflict
Theory

Karl Marx was a notable scholar whose conflict theory focused on

the causes and consequences of class conflict between the
bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Marx focused on the economic,
social, and political consequences of the rise of capitalism in
Europe, arguing that the system, which was based on the
existence of a powerful minority class (the bourgeoisie) and an
oppressed majority class (the proletariat), created class conflict
because the two classes' interests were at odds and resources were
unequally distributed.

Bourgeoisie – owners of the means of production and the

capitalists

Proletariat – the working class and the poor

Karl Marx’s Marx reasoned that when the proletariat's socioeconomic situations
deteriorated, they would develop a class consciousness that showed
Conflict Theory their exploitation at the hands of the wealthy capitalist class of

(cont’d) bourgeoisie, and they would then revolt, seeking measures to calm
the conflict. If the modifications made to placate conflict preserved
a capitalist society, the cycle of conflict would resume, according
to Marx. However, if the changes resulted in the creation of a new
system, such as socialism, then peace and stability would be
gained.

Marx believed “ that instead of interpreting the world in various

ways, the point should be to change it”.
 • The Simpsons are a working-class family living month to month with

Using the Simpsons the father employed as safety inspector in a nuclear power plant

to illustrate Conflict
• Power exhibited by the owner of the nuclear power plant and other
elites including television and sports celebrities

theory • Poverty and inequality depicted by illustrations of unemployment,

homelessness, and the "underclass"
 Using the Simpsons to
illustrate Conflict theory
 When the proletariat's socioeconomic situations
When the socioeconomic conditions of the proletariat deteriorated,
deteriorated, they would develop a class consciousness
they developed a class consciousness that revealed their exploitation
that showed their exploitation at the hands of the wealthy
at the hands of the wealthy capitalist class of bourgeoisie, and they
capitalist class of bourgeoisie, and they would then revolt,
revolted, seeking means to end the struggle. According to Marx, if the
seeking measures to calm the conflict. (Mr. Burns (the
changes made to appease strife preserved a capitalist society, the cycle
bourgeoisie) and those who provide the labor for
of conflict would repeat.
production (the proletariat) i.e., the union.)
 Georg Simmel
1858 - 1918

German Sociologist

Cultural Theorist

Author
 Georg Simmel
1858 - 1918

He focused on urban life and the form of the metropolis

Known for creating social theories that fostered an approach to the study of society

Simmel wrote prolifically throughout his career, penning more than 200 articles for various
outlets, both scholarly and non-academic, as well as 15 very highly regarded books . 
 Georg’s Theory of Conflict

Simmel chose to focus on the positive and integrative effects of conflicts.

Conflict, according to Georg Simmel, can help a community integrate and
stabilize. According to him, the severity of a conflict is determined by the
parties' emotional involvement, the degree of unity among opposing groups,
and the clarity and scope of the aims.

Simply put, Simmel believed that a certain amount of conflict is necessary for
a group's proper functioning, and that in small groups like a married couple, a
certain amount of discord, inner deviation, and outer controversy is naturally
linked to the very elements that ultimately hold the group together.
 Georg’s Theory of Conflict

Simmel chose to focus on the positive and integrative effects of conflicts.

Conflict, according to Georg Simmel, can help a community integrate and
stabilize. According to him, the severity of a conflict is determined by the
parties' emotional involvement, the degree of unity among opposing groups,
and the clarity and scope of the aims.

Simply put, Simmel believed that a certain amount of conflict is necessary for
a group's proper functioning, and that in small groups like a married couple, a
certain amount of discord, inner deviation, and outer controversy is naturally
linked to the very elements that ultimately hold the group together.
 Georg’s Theory of Conflict (cont’d)
Simmel also indicated that when a group works together to achieve unity within themselves,
they can control power, and decrease conflict. Once conflicts are resolved, there will be
reduced pressure and a path clear and straight for any upcoming arrangements.

Unlike Marx, who saw conflict as eventually becoming damaging and extreme also leading
to the structural change of the system, Simmel constantly examined the opposing
circumstances of less intense and violent conflicts that encourage unity, orderly
transformation, and integration.
 Conflict Theory
Similarities

KARL MARX GEORG SIMMEL

 Saw conflict as universal  Saw conflict as inevitable

 Viewed emotional excitation in violent  Emphasized that violent conflict is the

confrontation as important result of emotional arousal.
 Conflict Theory
Differences

KARL MARX GEORG SIMMEL

 Unbiased awareness of interests will result in society for
violent conflict.
 Saw conflict as eventually becoming damaging and
extreme also leading to the structural change of the system
 Changes which resulted in the creation of a new system,
would bring about stability.
 Awareness of shared interests might lead to highly instrumental
and nonviolent conflict under certain situations.
 examined the opposing circumstances of drastic and violent
conflicts that encourage unity, orderly transformation, and
integration.
 Conflict can be helpful in maintaining community stability
 Stated that low-intensity, high-frequency conflicts in
interdependent systems do not invariably increase or lead to
substantial societal transition
 Conflict Theory
Differences

KARL MARX GEORG SIMMEL

 Unbiased awareness of interests will result in society for
violent conflict.
 Saw conflict as eventually becoming damaging and
extreme also leading to the structural change of the system
 Changes which resulted in the creation of a new system,
would bring about stability.
 Awareness of shared interests might lead to highly instrumental
and nonviolent conflict under certain situations.
 examined the opposing circumstances of drastic and violent
conflicts that encourage unity, orderly transformation, and
integration.
 Conflict can be helpful in maintaining community stability
 Stated that low-intensity, high-frequency conflicts in
interdependent systems do not invariably increase or lead to
substantial societal transition
 SUMMARY

Conflict Theory has both integrative and

disintegrative effects on society as viewed
through the lens of Karl Marx and Georg Simmel.

From causing segregation between different

classes, genders, religion, and races to allowing
persons to form alliances that allow them to
achieve a shared goal/interest, despite their
differences.
Reference
Ball, T. (2019, November 13). communism - Stalinism. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/communism/Stalinism

Crossman, A. (2019, July 3). What Is Conflict Theory? ThoughtCo.

https://www.thoughtco.com/conflict-theory-3026622

Crossman, A. (2019b, November 6). Who Was Sociologist Georg Simmel? ThoughtCo.

Retrieved 16 May 2022, from https://www.thoughtco.com/georg-simmel-3026490

GEORG SIMMEL AND CONFLICT THEORY. (n.d.). genderi.org. http://genderi.org/chapter1-

introduction-sociological-theory.html?page=30
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