Conflict Theory - WordPress.com · Karl Marx (1818-1883) ... Max Weber (1864-1920) Agreed with Marx...

Conflict Theory

Sunday, April 19, 2015

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 (Cont’d)

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 (cont’d)

Society was a two-class system:1. Bourgeoisie (owners of the means of

production)2. Proletariat (workers)


Marx (cont’d)

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

2. Political influence Example: Politician who has great power, but

does not earn a big salary


Max Weber (cont’d) Weber defined power as “the ability to impose

one’s 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 (cont’d)

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

1. Rational-legal 2. Traditional 3. 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.



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



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

Ideas of Marx, Weber, and Simmel resurfaced in America in the 1950’s through two German Sociologists:

1. Lewis Coser2. 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



Conflict is part of relationships and is not necessarily a sign of instability

Conflict serves several functions:1. Leads to social change2. Can stimulate innovation3. During times of war threat, can increase

central power



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 Weber’s

than Marx



Concept of power elite, rather than ruling class=difference between Marx and Mills

There is a triangle of power:1. Military2. Industry3. Politics White-collar world kept power elite on top



There are three types of power:1. Authority: power justified by the beliefs of

the voluntarily obedient2. Manipulation: power wielded unknown to

the powerless3. 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

Social Structure

Individualactions


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 don’t limit

power to just economics, but also look at other issues


Relevancy (cont’d)

Three criticisms of conflict theory:1. Ignores other ways (i.e. non-forceful

ways in which people reach agreements2. Sides with people who lack power3. Focuses on economic factors as the sole

issue for all conflict in society This primarily is for Marx’s approach


Relevancy (cont’d)

Differences in power are in all types of interaction

Power used to be physical, but now, it’s legal and economic


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Conflict Theory - WordPress.com · Karl Marx (1818-1883) ... Max Weber (1864-1920) Agreed with Marx...

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