Definition and Analysis
Conflict theory is a concept used in a wide range of disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, criminology, communication, education, among many others. This theory takes its roots in Carl Marx’s teachings since class struggle is based completely on a conflict. Therefore, the main aim of Conflict theory is to give a framework to explain reasons, dynamic, consequences of a conflict. The theory gives a framework to show the exact role of each opposing group in a conflict. This paper will define the concept of conflict theory and examine two of its basic principles.
To start with, it is necessary to look deeper into the concept of “conflict theory”. The concept takes its origin from the mid-1800s, when Carl Max’s teachings gained credibility and popularity. Marx explained that a conflict cannot be avoid since the society is made up of great number of individuals representing diverse social classes who have to compete for social (employment, education) and material goods (food and housing), and other resources (as cited in “Conflict Theory | Sociology”, 2020). Later, the term was modified by other sociologists and psychologists such as Max Weber, Ludwig Gumplowicz, Georg Simmel, Erving Goffmann, and so forth. Weber paid attention to the fact that a conflict may occur due to some inequalities in such spheres as political power and social structure, not only because of economic reasons (as cited in “Conflict Theory | Sociology”, 2020). In total, the main function of conflict theory is to explain the reasons of a conflict that emerged between social groups, individuals, communities, countries or other groups of people. Conflict theory serves as a helpful framework that assists in analyzing society and its issues. In addition to that, conflict theory involves such branch as the critical theory that focuses on diverse structural issues that might lead to inequality. Conflict Theory is applied by sociologists in a range of issues, such as racism, discrimination, xenophobia, problems related to gender, etc.
Conflict Theory Main Concepts
One of the essential Conflict theory concepts is class struggle, which is caused by the limit of resources and necessity of groups to compete with one another. Nowadays, the concept of class struggle is relevant since the pace of globalization and global capitalism leads to the presence of inequality among nations and global power. Conflict theory and the concept of class are significant for human services since the latter may deal with social services provided by the government. Therefore, the political situation affects the human services sector to a large extent. For example, Nicki Lisa Cole’s article about the protests in Hong Kong tries to analyze the conflict that emerged between the government of China and those who are for democratic elections using the framework of Conflict Theory. To understand the emerged conflict, the author of the mentioned article applies the core questions of Conflict Theory: “What is going on?”, “Who is in conflict, and why?”, “What are the socio-historical origins of the conflict?”, “What is at stake in the conflict?”, “What relations of power and resources of power are present in this conflict?” (Cole, 2020). As a result, the application of Conflict Theory led to understanding the main cause of the conflict was the conflicting ideologies of citizens (working class) and the political elite.
Another core concept of Conflict Theory is ideology. Parekh (2015) mentions that Marx introduced the term to explain two interrelated senses, “idealism and apologetic body of thoughts”, and meant that it is “systematic and self-contained studies of ideas” (p.2). The concept of ideology is central in Conflict Theory since it provides the main reasons why two parties are found to be in a conflict. As can be seen, the mentioned article shows that the main problem of the Hong Kong conflict was ideological: citizens were protesting for democracy.
As can be seen, every conflict is caused by the inequity of its parties and ideological differences. Two of the most important Conflict Theory terms are the concepts of “class struggle” and “ideology”. Conflict theory is relevant to human services and sociology since it gives the necessary framework to understand the cause of political, social, or personal conflicts, and helps to analyze different communities and their issues.
References
Cole, N.L. (2020). Conflict theory case study: The occupy central protests in Hong Kong. ThoughtCo. Web.
Parekh, B. (2016). Marx’s theory of ideology. Routledge.
“Reading: Conflict theory | Sociology”. (2020). Courses.lumenlearning.com. Web.