Conflict Theory - understanding inequality.ppt

Conflict theory

1. Sociological TheorySociological Theory
Frameworks for understanding Frameworks for understanding
societysociety

2. Conflict theoryConflict theory
The basicsThe basics::
–A macro-oriented paradigmA macro-oriented paradigm
–Views society as an arena of Views society as an arena of
inequality that generates conflict inequality that generates conflict
and social changeand social change

3. Conflict theory Conflict theory
•Key elementsKey elements::
–Society is structured in ways to Society is structured in ways to
benefit a few at the expense of the benefit a few at the expense of the
majoritymajority
–Factors such as race, sex, class, and Factors such as race, sex, class, and
age are linked to social inequalityage are linked to social inequality

4. Conflict theory – key elements Conflict theory – key elements
(cont’d)(cont’d)
–Dominant group vs. Minority group Dominant group vs. Minority group
relationsrelations
•These groups have incompatible These groups have incompatible
interests and major differencesinterests and major differences

5. Conflict theoristsConflict theorists
•Karl MarxKarl Marx
–The importance of social class in The importance of social class in
inequality and social conflictinequality and social conflict
•W.E.B. DuBoisW.E.B. DuBois
–Race as the major problem facing the Race as the major problem facing the
United States in the twentieth United States in the twentieth
centurycentury

6. Conflict theoryConflict theory
•A theoretical framework that views A theoretical framework that views
society as a system characterised by society as a system characterised by
social inequalitysocial inequality
•In essence conflict theory enables us to In essence conflict theory enables us to
see how inequality is rooted in the see how inequality is rooted in the
organisation of societyorganisation of society

7. Conflict theoryConflict theory
•It’s main focus:It’s main focus:
- Social inequality- Social inequality
-Social conflictSocial conflict
-Social changeSocial change

8. Conflict theory – key termsConflict theory – key terms
•Social structureSocial structure
•Social inequalitySocial inequality
•Social institutions = sub-systems of Social institutions = sub-systems of
societysociety

9. CONFLICT THEORY – KARL MARXCONFLICT THEORY – KARL MARX
•His main focus: - the economy as a His main focus: - the economy as a
social institution that dominates all social institution that dominates all
others in directing societyothers in directing society
•His main concern: - what he saw in the His main concern: - what he saw in the
early stages of industrial capitalism in early stages of industrial capitalism in
EuropeEurope

10. CONFLICT THEORY – KARL MARXCONFLICT THEORY – KARL MARX
•In his work Marx emphasised the impact In his work Marx emphasised the impact
of economic factors in producing social of economic factors in producing social
change and the nature of that changechange and the nature of that change
•For Marx capitalism as an economic For Marx capitalism as an economic
system influences and shapes the system influences and shapes the
modern worldmodern world

11. CONFLICT THEORY – KARL MARXCONFLICT THEORY – KARL MARX
•Two key concepts:Two key concepts:
- - the base the base – the economic base– the economic base
- - the superstructure the superstructure – all other social – all other social
institutions built on and influenced by institutions built on and influenced by
the economic system/the basethe economic system/the base

12. CONFLICT THEORY – KARL CONFLICT THEORY – KARL
MARXMARX
•Third key concept: Third key concept: Historical Historical
materialism materialism – which means that how – which means that how
material goods are produced shapes material goods are produced shapes
the rest of societythe rest of society

13. CONFLICT THEORY – KARL MARXCONFLICT THEORY – KARL MARX
•For Marx the cause of social change is For Marx the cause of social change is
the pressure experienced in society for the pressure experienced in society for
constant economic transformation and constant economic transformation and
change change

14. CONFLICT THEORY – KARL MARXCONFLICT THEORY – KARL MARX
•For Marx society i.e. capitalist society is For Marx society i.e. capitalist society is
divided into two groups or two social divided into two groups or two social
classes:classes:
• - the bourgeoisie – those who own the - the bourgeoisie – those who own the
means of productionmeans of production
• - the proletariate – the workers- the proletariate – the workers

15. CONFLICT THEORY – KARL MARXCONFLICT THEORY – KARL MARX
•Social conflict – is the struggle between Social conflict – is the struggle between
groups in society over valued resourcesgroups in society over valued resources
•- or the struggle between social classes- or the struggle between social classes

16. CONFLICT THEORY CONFLICT THEORY
•For all conflict theorists including Marx For all conflict theorists including Marx
the most significant type of social the most significant type of social
conflict is between social classes and is conflict is between social classes and is
caused by the way in which society caused by the way in which society
produces material goodsproduces material goods