Social Conflict Theory
By: Johanna Villalobos, Angelica Real, Vinny Lauro
What is the main element of
social conflict?
Society is structured in ways
to benefit few at the expense
of the majority, and factors
such as race, sex, class, and
age are connected to social
inequality.
Karl Marx is considered the 'father' of
social conflict theory.
His thoughts…
Marx believed there are two major social groups: a ruling
class and a subject class: you either own the productive
property or you work for someone who does.
The ruling class derives power from its ownership and
control of the forces of production. The ruling class exploits
and oppresses the subject class
But there’s more..
This clash between the owners and the workers
was at the heart of his thinking. Moreover, Karl
Marx’s way of thinking is considered to be the
core of social conflict; which is the struggle
between groups in society over scarce resources.
Why does it exist?
To a social conflict theorist, it is all about dominant group
versus minority group and society as an arena of inequality
that generates conflict and social change. Also, according to
conflict theory inequality exists because those in control of
disproportionate share of resources defend their advantages.
Does it still exist today?
North Korea
In North Korea everything revolves around Kim Jong, all
finances he pumps into the military leaving his citizens to
starve
Kim Jong classifies people as those who are "with us" or
"against us" and the people that are "with us" are loyal to
Kim Jong
A lot of people are poor and starving and live in poverty due
to corrupt government and their officials.
Therefore, government officials are the wealthy ones while
average citizens are classified as lower class.
This wide gap between wealthy government
officials and regular citizens causes conflict
whether it is economically and how it
affects them in a day to day situation or the
basic natural rights they deserve.
Gandam, Satish. Mark Conflict Theory. Retrieved from
http://conflicttheory.com/marx/
Theory Greats. Retrieved from
http://www94.homepage.villanova.edu/peter.knapp/THgre
ats.htm
2015, Feb 12. Karl Marx. Retrieved From:
http://www.philanthropyandphilosophy.com/profile_karl_m
arx.php