Conflict Theory Overview

Introduction

• Conflict theory studies societal inequalities among different groups.
• Based on Karl Marx's ideas from the 19th century.

Marx's Stages of Society

• Society evolves through stages:
  • Feudalism
  • Capitalism
  • Socialism

Capitalism in 19th Century Europe

• Bourgeoisie: Rich upper class, minority, owned factories.
• Proletariat: Poor lower class, majority, provided labor.
• Power dynamics:
  • Bourgeoisie had societal power due to ownership of production.
  • Proletariat dependent on bourgeoisie for wages.
  • Factories dependent on labor from proletariat.

Economic Inequality and Class Consciousness

• Economic inequality seen between factory owners and workers.
• Marx predicted workers would realize exploitation and unite.
• Creation of "class consciousness": workers on the same wavelength to overthrow capitalism.

Marx's Model of Societal Change

• Thesis: Existing state of society.
• Antithesis: Reaction against the thesis.
• Thesis and antithesis clash, leading to a compromise or synthesis.
  • Example: Workers becoming managers, forming a new middle class.

Cyclical Nature of Thesis and Antithesis

• New synthesis becomes a new thesis, begins process of creating opposition.
• Potential outcomes:
  • Middle class becoming powerful, bourgeoisie feels threatened.
  • Workers resentful of middle class power.

Historical Examples of Conflict

• W.E.B. Dubois: Influential in African American equal rights struggle.
• Women's suffrage movement: Created tension and societal change.

Limitations of Conflict Theory

• Does not account for societal stability.
• Does not explain how society is held together.
• Critical of the status quo.

Conclusion

• Conflict theory models drastic societal changes.
• Leaves some societal aspects unexplained.
• Useful tool for understanding societal complexities.