Social conflict theory is a Marxist-based social theory which argues that individuals
and groups within society have differing amounts of material and non-material resources and
that the more
"Consider paying rent towards housing. The conflict theorist argues that this relationship
is unequal and favors the owners. Renters may pay rent for 50 years and still gain absolutely
no right or economic interest with the property. It is this type of relationship which the
conflict theorist will use to show that social relationships are about power and exploitation."
Padgitt continues, "Marx argued that through a dialectic process, social evolution was
directed by the result of class conflict. Marxism argues that human history is all about
this conflict, a result of the strong-rich exploiting the poor-weak. From such a perspective,
money is made through the exploitation of the worker. It is argued thus, that in order
for a factory owner to make money, he must pay his workers less than they deserve."
Thus, the social conflict theory states that groups within a capitalist society tend to
interact in a destructive way, that allows no mutual benefit and little cooperation.
The solution Marxism proposes to this problem is that of a workers' revolution to break
the political and economic domination of the capitalist class with the aim of reorganising
society along the lines of collective ownership and mass democratic control.
Social conflict theories
According to Karl Marx in all stratified societies there are two major social groups: a ruling
class and a subject class. The ruling class derives its power from its ownership and control
of the forces of production. The ruling class exploits and oppresses the subject class.
As a result there is a basic conflict of interest between the two classes.
The various institutions of society such as the legal and political system are instruments
of ruling class domination and serve to further its interests. Marx believed that western
society developed through four main epochs—primitive communism, ancient society, feudal society
and capitalist society. Primitive communism is represented by the societies of pre-history
and provides the only example of the classless society. From then all societies are divided
into two major classes—master and slaves in ancient society, lords and serfs in feudal
society and capitalist and wage labourers in capitalist society.
Weber sees class in economic terms. He argues that classes develop in market economies in
which individuals compete for economic gain. He defines a class as a group of individuals
who share a similar position in market economy and by virtue of that fact receive similar
economic rewards. Thus a person's class situation is basically his market situation. Those who
share a similar class situation also share similar life chances. Their economic position
will directly affect their chances of obtaining the things defined as desirable in their society.
See also Identity politics
References Marx, Karl. 1971. Preface to A Contribution
to the Critique of Political Economy, Tr. S. W. Ryanzanskaya, edited by M. Dobb. London:
Lawrence & Whishart. Skocpol, Theda. 1980. States and Social Revolutions:
A Comparative Analysis of France, Russia, and China. New York: Cambridge University
Press. Wallerstein, Immanuel M. 1974. The Modern
World-System: Capitalist Agriculture and the Origins of the European World-Economy in the
Sixteenth Century. New York: Academic Press. 1980. The Modern World-System II: Mercantilism
and the Consolidation of the European World-Economy, 1600-1750. New York: Academic Press.
External links UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT AND WAR: VOL. 2: THE
CONFLICT HELIX By R.J. Rummel Critical Theory