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

resources of society fight over scarce  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 labor   division of formation of economic social classes  Class struggle  Trying to combine material and ideal factors/ structural and cultural factors

Marx (cont’d)

 1.

2.

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

1.

2.

Believed in Two other factors: 

Social prestige (status)

Example: someone could be poor and still hold a lot of power because of social prestige  Mother Theresa 

Political influence

Example: Politician who has great power, but does not earn a big salary

Max Weber (cont’d)

 Weber defined

power

one’s will on another, even when the other objects” (p. 72 CST) as “the ability to impose 

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 1.

2.

3.

3 types of authority: 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 1950’s 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 Weber’s 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:

the powerless power wielded unknown to

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 don’t limit power to just economics, but also look at other issues

Relevancy (cont’d)

 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 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