Overview of Sociologys Conflict Theory

Conflict theory states that tensions and conflicts arise when resources, status, and power are unevenly distributed between groups in society  and that these conflicts become the engine for social change. In this context, power can be understood as control of material resources and accumulated wealth, control of politics and the institutions that make up society, and ones social status relative to others (determined not just by class but by race, gender, sexuality, culture, and religion, among other things). Karl Marx A house may be large or small; as long as the neighboring houses are likewise small, it satisfies all social requirement for a residence. But let there arise next to the little house a palace, and the little house shrinks to a hut. Wage Labour and Capital (1847) Marxs Conflict Theory Conflict theory originated in the work of Karl Marx, who focused on the causes and consequences of class conflict between the bourgeoisie (the owners of the means of production and the capitalists) and the proletariat (the working class and the poor). Focusing on the economic, social, and political implications of the rise of capitalism in Europe, Marx theorized that this system, premised on the existence of a powerful minority class (the bourgeoisie) and an oppressed majority class (the proletariat), created class conflict because the interests of the two were at odds, and resources were unjustly distributed among them. Within this system an unequal social order was maintained through ideological coercion which created consensus--and acceptance of the values, expectations, and conditions as determined by the bourgeoisie.  Marx theorized that the work of producing consensus was done in the superstructure of society, which is composed of social  institutions, political structures, and culture, and what it produced consensus for was the base, the economic relations of production.   Marx reasoned that as the socio-economic conditions worsened for the proletariat, they would develop a class consciousness that revealed their exploitation at the hands of the wealthy capitalist class of bourgeoisie, and then they would revolt, demanding changes to smooth the conflict. According to Marx, if the changes made to appease conflict maintained a capitalist system, then the cycle of conflict would repeat. However, if the changes made created a new system, like socialism, then peace and stability would be achieved. Evolution of Conflict Theory Many social theorists have built on Marxs conflict theory to bolster it, grow it, and refine it over the years. Explaining why Marxs theory of revolution did not manifest in his lifetime,  Italian scholar and activist  Antonio Gramsci  argued that the power of ideology was stronger than Marx had realized  and that more work needed to be done to overcome cultural hegemony, or  rule through common sense. Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno, critical theorists who were part of The Frankfurt School, focused their work on how the rise of mass culture--mass produced art, music, and media--contributed to the maintenance of cultural hegemony. More recently, C. Wright Mills drew on conflict theory to describe the rise of a tiny power elite composed of military, economic, and political figures who have ruled America from the mid-twentieth century. Many others have drawn on conflict theory to develop other types of theory within the social sciences, including feminist theory, critical race theory, postmodern and postcolonial theory, queer theory, post-structural theory, and theories of globalization and world systems. So, while initially conflict theory described class conflicts specifically, it has lent itself over the years to studies of how other kinds of conflicts, like those premised on race, gender, sexuality, religion, culture, and nationality, among others, are a part of contemporary social structures, and how they affect our lives. Applying Conflict Theory Conflict theory and its variants are used by many sociologists today to study a wide range of social problems. Examples include: How todays global capitalism creates a global system of power and inequality.How words play a role in reproducing and justifying conflict.The causes and consequences of the gender pay gap between men and women. Updated  by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.