Conflict Theory Lecture Notes

Introduction to Conflict Theory

• Focuses on inequalities of different groups in society.
• Based on Karl Marx's 19th-century ideas.
• Society evolves through stages: feudalism, capitalism, socialism.

Key Concepts

Capitalist Society

• 19th-century Europe was capitalist.
• Bourgeoisie: Rich upper class, minority, owned factories.
• Proletariat: Poor lower class, majority, sold labor.
• Bourgeoisie had power despite being a minority.
• Economic dependence: Workers depended on factory owners and vice versa.

Economic Inequality

• Significant inequality between bourgeoisie (owners) and proletariat (workers).
• Marx believed this inequality would fuel societal change.

Class Consciousness

• Workers realize exploitation and unite, forming a class consciousness.
• Class consciousness strengthens workers to challenge capitalist status quo.

Marx's Model of Societal Change

• Society where one group exploits another contains seeds of its own destruction.
• Thesis: Existing state (e.g., bourgeoisie running factories).
• Antithesis: Opposing reaction (e.g., working class desiring change).
• Thesis and antithesis can't coexist peacefully.

Resolution Process

• Struggle leads to a Synthesis (compromise/new state).
• Example: Working class gaining managerial positions, forming a new middle class.

Cycle of Change

• Synthesis becomes a new thesis, starting the cycle again.
• New tensions arise, leading to new antitheses.

Historical Examples

• African American equal rights struggle (W.E.B. Dubois).
• Women's suffrage movement.
• Each conflict resolves into a new thesis, awaiting further tension.

Critique of Conflict Theory

• Models drastic societal changes well but lacks explanation for societal stability.
• Doesn't address how societies are held together.
• The theory is another tool for understanding societal complexities.