Introduction to Sociology / Sociological Theory-Conflict Theory / Na kyung Lee

1. Summary

History of conflict theory
The basis of conflict theory begins with early philosophy. Many philosophers have similar ideas about conflict and society. They thought that conflict was part of society. Max Gluckman, John Rex, Lewis A. Coser, Randall Collins, Ralf Dahrendorf, Ludwig Gumplovicz, Vilfredo Pareto, and Georg Simmel contributed to the development of conflict theories.
Karl Marx is called the father of conflict theory. Karl Marx played an important role in the development of social science and the socialist political movement. Marx claimed that conflict attributed to mainly industrial conflict and social and economic sectors.
Max Weber argues that power, prestige and wealth were added to social conflicts and such conflicts were discovered in every aspect of society.


Modern Social Stratification
 As the transition from agricultural society to industrial society, a social class based on wealth and power emerges. Conflict theory works on behalf of the rich and the elite. Thus, the higher class stays in power and the other becomes economically disadvantaged, gives up the rights, and becomes powerless. Modern society presents the main ideas and mechanisms of conflict that demonstrate the process of stripping and exploitation of the lower class of the hierarchy in order to systematically maintain and increase the power of the upper class. Interestingly, this applies not only to socialism but also for democracy and dictatorship.




2. New / Interesting thing

I learned about conflict theory in high school so the term conflict theory was not unfamiliar. However, this material is more detailed in detail than that I learned in high school, so I learned a lot of new things. And there are many examples of conflict theories of modern society, which helped me understand the conflict theory.





3. Discussion point


I was impressed by the recent statement of the examples of conflict theories of contemporary society. So, I want to know if there are more other examples of conflict theory of modern society. And I would like to discuss whether there is indeed a society where conflict theory does not apply.

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