Conflict theories: Difference between revisions
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* [[World-systems_approach|World systems theory]] |
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==See also== |
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*[[Game theory]] |
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*[[List of publications in sociology#Conflict theory|Important publications in conflict theory]] |
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*[[Social defeat]] |
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*[[Social-conflict theory]] |
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*[[Sociology of peace, war, and social conflict]] |
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*[[Structural functionalism]] |
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Revision as of 14:17, 19 July 2010
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Conflict theories are perspectives in social science which emphasize the social, political or material inequality of a social group, which critique the broad socio-political system, or which otherwise detract from structural functionalism and ideological conservativism. Conflict theories draw attention to power differentials, such as class conflict, and generally contrast historically dominant ideologies.
Certain conflict theories set out to highlight the ideological aspects inherent in traditional thought. Whilst many of these perspectives hold parallels, conflict theory does not refer to a unified school of thought, and should not be confused with, for instance, peace and conflict studies, or any other specific theory of social conflict.
In classical sociology
A common analogy for stuctural functionalist thought, popularized by Herbert Spencer, is to regard norms, values and institutions as 'organs' that work toward the proper-functioning of the entire 'body' of society.[1] The perspective was implicit in the original sociological positivism of Auguste Comte, but was theorized in full by Émile Durkheim, again with respect to observable, structural laws. Functionalism concerns "the effort to impute, as rigorously as possible, to each feature, custom, or practice, its effect on the functioning of a supposedly stable, cohesive system",[2] and to this extent holds allegiance with particular styles of political reasoning. For Durkheim, it was of fundamental importance not to disturb the social organism and to acknowledge our collective consciousness:
To aim for a civilization beyond that made possible by the nexus of the surrounding environment will result in unloosing sickness into the very society we live in. Collective activity cannot be encouraged beyond the point set by the condition of the social organism without undermining health.
The chief form of social conflict that Durkheim addressed was crime. Durkheim saw crime as "a factor in public health, an integral part of all healthy societies."[4] The collective conscience defines certain acts as "criminal." Crime thus plays a role in the evolution of morality and law: "[it] implies not only that the way remains open to necessary changes but that in certain cases it directly prepares these changes."[5]
Of the classical founders of social science, conflict theory is most commonly associated with Karl Marx. Based on a dialectical materialist account history, Marxism posited that capitalism, like previous socioeconomic systems, would inevitably produce internal tensions leading to its own destruction.[6]. Marx ushered in radical change, advocating proletarian revolution and freedom from the ruling classes. It may be noted that Marxism is no less "structural" (or "top-down") in its approach, even if its methodology differs; its major point of difference with Durkheimian functionalism is broadly political.
The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles. Freeman and slave, patrician and plebeian, lord and serf, guild-master and journeyman, in a word, oppressor and oppressed, stood in constant opposition to one another, carried on an uninterrupted, now hidden, now open fight, a fight that each time ended, either in a revolutionary re-constitution of society at large, or in the common ruin of the contending classes.
Weber's approach to conflict is contrasted with that of Marx. While Marx focussed on the way individual behavior is conditioned by social structure, Weber emphasized the importance of "social action," i.e., the ability of individuals to affect their social relationships.[8]
Modern approaches
C. Wright Mills has been called the founder of modern conflict theory.[9] In Mill's view, social structures are created through conflict between people with differing interests and resources. Individuals and resources, in turn, are influenced by these structures and by the "unequal distribution of power and resources in the society."[9] The power elite of American society, (i.e., the military-industrial complex) had "emerged from the fusion of the corporate elite, the Pentagon, and the executive branch of government." Mills argued that the interests of this elite were opposed to those of the people. He theorized that the policies of the power elite would result in "increased escalation of conflict, production of weapons of mass destruction, and possibly the annihilation of the human race."[9]
Types of conflict theory
Conflict theory is most commonly associated with Marxism, but as a reaction to functionalism and the positivist method may also be associated with number of other perspectives, including:
- Critical theory
- Feminist theory
- Postmodern theory
- Post-structural theory
- Postcolonial theory
- Queer theory
- World systems theory
- ^ Urry, John (2000). "Metaphors". Sociology beyond societies: mobilities for the twenty-first century. Routledge. p. 23. ISBN 978-0-415-19089-3.
- ^ Bourricaud, F. 'The Sociology of Talcott Parsons' Chicago University Press. ISBN 0-226-067564. p. 94
- ^ Durkheim, Émile The Division of Labor in Society [1893] LA Coser: New York: The Free Press, 1984
- ^ Durkheim, E. (1938). The Rules of Sociological Method. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. p. 67.
- ^ Durkheim, (1938), pp. 70-81.
- ^ Baird, Forrest E. (2008). From Plato to Derrida. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-158591-6.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Marx and Engels, The Communist Manifesto, introduction by Martin Malia (New York: Penguin group, 1998), pg. 35 ISBN 0451527100
- ^ Livesay, C. Social Inequality: Theories: Weber. Sociology Central. A-Level Sociology Teaching Notes. Retrieved on: 2010-06-20.
- ^ a b c Knapp, P. (1994). One World - Many Worlds: Contemporary Sociological Theory (2nd Ed.). Harpercollins College Div, pp. 228-246. Online summary Isbn: 9780065012187