SOCIOLOGY A
Outcome 1 Joanne
McAteer
Conflict Theory
Conflict theory is different to the consensus perspective in that it
does not take for granted that there will automatically be co-
operation, harmony and agreement among different groups in
society. It is more focused on the inequalities with regard to
power and wealth, and how some groups have more wealth than
others and can therefore have power over other groups. These
groups are constantly competing with each other. For example,
workers want high wages, but employers want to pay them as
little as possible. NHS patients want to receive a high standard
of health care, but doctors have to work within their budgets.
Therefore, society is made up of different competing groups, not
groups working as a team. Each group has it's own interests in
mind, and society is the result of how power and wealth may
decide which group has the last say in how things are run.
MARXISM
According to Marxism, there are two classes in society - the
ruling class and the subject class. The ruling class make up a
small percentage of society, however, they own and control the
biggest share of the wealth. Examples of the ruling class are the
aristocracy, employers and the government. They have the most
power because they are able to control the wealth of the country.
Therefore, they can decide how to run the country to some extent.
The subject class are larger in number, however are relatively
poorer in comparison to the ruling class. The subject class are
dependant on the ruling class to a degree, as they have no
alternative but to engage in employment in order to receive
wages from the ruling class. The subject class are taught to
accept life as it is, that the situation can never change if society is
to function successfully. As the ruling class control the
educational system and the media, the subject class are 'fooled'
into believing that this system is normal. Conflict theorists
believe that private ownership is the key to why society is the
way it is. They believe that whoever has possession over things
like objects, tools, skills and ideas, therefore has the power to
control and influence how these things are used and by whom.
The theory of economic determinism states that depending on
the economic mode of production that society is in (be it ...
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educational system and the media, the subject class are 'fooled'
into believing that this system is normal. Conflict theorists
believe that private ownership is the key to why society is the
way it is. They believe that whoever has possession over things
like objects, tools, skills and ideas, therefore has the power to
control and influence how these things are used and by whom.
The theory of economic determinism states that depending on
the economic mode of production that society is in (be it slavery,
feudalism, capitalism or socialism), this will determine who has
ownership of the means of production. We live in a capitalist
society, which means that the ruling class are the employers,
government etc. The subject class are the working class. As the
ruling class have private ownership of the places of employment,
that means the subject class have no other means of making a
living other than to work for the ruling class.
POWER
The ruling class have greater economic power than the subject
class. As I have stated before, Marxists believe that economic
power and political power go hand in hand. They believe that
those who have greater economic power have better access to
things like education, the media, lawyers, experts and
ultimately, politicians. Politicians are more likely to be
interested in the issues concerning the economic ruling class than
those concerning the subject class. This is due to the fact that the
ruling class have better access to them. Therefore, political
power is a result of your relationship to the means of production.
COERCION
Conflict theorists believe that coercion is inevitable in any
system. Coercion means to persuade or threaten someone by the
use of force. When one group in society has control over another
group, (i.e. the ruling class controls the subject class) they must
use coercion in order to prevent a rebellion. This can be in the
form of limiting the amount of education available to the subject
class, therefore preventing them from gaining access to highly
paid and influential positions such as lawyers, in the media or
politicians. The ruling class can influence what is shown on
televisions and in the newspapers. They can use the army, police
and the courts to protect them or enforce the law to prevent civil
unrest. These are all things, which conflict theorists argue that
the ruling class must do, in order to maintain their position in a
modern capitalist society. These steps are taken when the subject
class may attempt to change the structure of society. This may be
due to the realisation that the ruling class is exploiting them.
Conflict theorists believe that as long as there is inequality
between classes, there will always be a need for coercion to be
used by the ruling class. A physical show of force, however,
may prove time consuming and expensive for the ruling class.
In this case, Ideology will be used. This is a set of beliefs and
values, which may be based on fact, opinion or perception. The
ruling class must get the subject class to believe that their
Ideology is the right and natural way to do things, and that there
is no other way. Some examples are, the belief in market
capitalism, the belief that the rights of the individual come
before that of the group, the belief that inequality is healthy as it
creates competition and the belief that private ownership is
desirable. If a group can be 'conned' with the use of Ideology
into thinking that a situation which is bad for them, is actually
beneficial to them, then they are said to be in a state of false
'consciousness'. It is only when they realise the reality of the
situation and they achieve 'true consciousness', that changes can
actually take place in society, i.e. revolution occurs.
FEMINIST PERSPECTIVES
Feminism assumes there is conflict between two large groups in
society - men and women. Liberal feminism is based on the
concept that women should have equal rights with men in all
things. Liberal feminists believe that people should be accepted
as individuals, and not 'pigeon-holed' according to their gender.
Radical feminists argue that men and women are two different
species. They do not want equal rights with men; they believe
the two sexes should be separated in order to form their own
different cultures, institution and forms of authority. They
believe that men feel, think and act differently to women, and
should not have the right to dominate or control women in
society. Radical feminists state that only when the two sexes are
looked upon as two different races, will women have the right to
fully address their own needs and interests. Marxist feminism
sees men and women as separate social classes just like the
subject class and the ruling class. They see men as they ruling
class, who exploit women in the workplace. They believe the
only way to overcome this is by the abolition of privately owned
and male dominated industry. These should be replaced by a
worker owned, democratic industry. This way, the needs of all
workers (men and women alike) are taken into account.
EVALUATION
Like every theory, the conflict theory has it's strengths and it's
weaknesses. The strengths are that it recognises that there is a
structure to society, and that every part is connected to every
other one. Therefore, this structure is more powerful than any
individual. It makes us realise that there are different groups in
society, which are the product of inequalities and these groups
all have their own beliefs. This inequality can be explained
through the concept of private ownership. Power and coercion
can help to explain why groups do things which are not in their
best interests. The weaknesses are, that in highlighting the
differences and conflicts in society, conflict theorists have under
estimated the amount of shared values that appear to be an
important force in shaping society. Marxists see all wage
earners as being equal, in that they are all part of the subject
class. However, there are a great many differences between a
highly paid executive and a factory production line worker.
Marxists do not take into account the moment by moment
choices, made by the individual, which require freewill. This
should be taken into account when considering the influence that
the structure of the state has on everyone's behaviour.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CONFLICT AND CONSENSUS
There are many differences between the conflict and the
consensus theories. According to the consensus theory, people in
society work together for the same thing, whereas with conflict
theory, people work in competition for what they need.
Consensus theory states that society is aiming to achieve a settled
harmony. However, conflict theory says that society is in
constant change, due to disharmony. Another difference is that
consensus theory tells us that the existing order is for everyone's
benefit. Whereas the conflict perspective says the existing social
order is for the benefit of the ruling class. Finally, the consensus
theory states that authority is there to protect everyone.
However, conflict says that authority is there to protect the ruling
class.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
"Sociology - Themes and Perspectives" Haralambos &
Holborn
(Collins Educational)
"Sociology" Giddens
(Polity)
Other material from -
Class notes
Joanne McAteer
Outcome 1 (b), (c), (d), (e)
