The Conflict Perspective
Deborah Arrington
Professor Sharon K Webster
SOC 101 – G1
There is much dialogue about the conflict perspective as it relates to sociology. The conflict perspective assumes that social behavior is best understood in terms of tension between groups over power or the allocation of resources such as housing, money, access to services and political representation according to Schaefer, (2011). The conflict perspective is very much active in today’s society. According to Karl Marx (Schaefer, 2011) conflict theory sees society as a dynamic entity constantly undergoing change as a result of competition over scarce resources. However this paper will focus on ...view middle of the document...
For example, many modern capitalist states have avoided a communist revolution, and have instead instituted elaborate social service programs. Although conflict theorists often focus on social change, they have, yet developed a theory to explain social stability.
According to the conflict perspective, inequalities in power and reward are built into all the system. The one percent or middles class who benefit from any particular structure strives to see it maintained. For example, the wealthy may fight to maintain their privileged access to higher education by opposing measures that would broaden access, such as right for minorities to receive public funding. The stability of social change for all groups can not prevail because the conflict of interest to the higher economic class.
The Gay community is a perfect example of a group who strives for equality through many protests and legislation changes. The challenges Gay community has faced over the 20th century are slow changing. The legalization of same-sex marriage represents an instance where the government abandons its longstanding role of enforcing bias and privilege favoring the elite and...