Conflict theory views society as composed of groups that compete for limited resources. Karl Marx saw society as fragmented with the powerful dominating the powerless for economic and political advantage. Social order is maintained through this domination. Functionalism, associated with Emile Durkheim, views society as composed of interdependent parts that work together to maintain stability and social order. While both see society's structure as influencing behavior and relationships, conflict theory focuses on inequality and power struggles between groups, while functionalism emphasizes how institutions like the family and religion foster social cohesion.

1. 2. Conflict Theory
Conflict theory emphasizes the role of coercion and power in producing social order. This perspective
is derived from the works of Karl Marx, who saw society as fragmented into groups that compete for
social and economic resources. Social order is maintained by domination, with power in the hands of
those with the greatest political, economic, and social resources.
3. Functionalist Theory
The functionalist perspective, also called functionalism, is one of the major theoretical perspectives in
sociology. It has its origins in the works of Emile Durkheim, who was especially interested in how
social order is possible or how society remains relatively stable.
Conflict theories are perspectives in sociology that emphasize the social, political, or material inequality
of a social group, that critique the broad socio-political system, or that otherwise detract from structural
functionalism and ideological conservativism. Conflict theories draw attention to power differentials, such
as class conflict, and generally contrast historically dominant ideologies. It is therefore a macro level
analysis of society. Karl Marx is the father of the social conflict theory, which is a component of the 4
paradigms of sociology. Certain conflict theories set out to highlight the ideological aspects inherent in
traditional thought. Whilst many of these perspectives hold parallels, conflict theory does not refer to a
unified school of thought, and should not be confused with, for instance, peace and conflict studies, or
any other specific theory of social conflict.
Contents
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1 In classical sociology
2 Modern approaches
3 Types of conflict theory
4 See also
5 References
In classical sociology[edit]
Of the classical founders of social science, conflict theory is most commonly associated with Karl
Marx (1818–1883). Based on a dialectical materialist account of history, Marxism posited thatcapitalism,
like previous socioeconomic systems, would inevitably produce internal tensions leading to its own
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destruction. Marx ushered in radical change, advocating proletarian revolution and freedom from
the ruling classes. At the same time, Karl Marx was aware that most of the people living in capitalist
societies did not see how the system shaped the entire operation of society. Just like how we see private
property, or the right to pass that property on to our children as natural, many of members in capitalistic
societies see the rich as having earned their wealth through hard work and education, while seeing the
poor as lacking in skill and initiative. Marx rejected this type of thinking and termed it false
consciousness, explanations of social problems as the shortcomings of individuals rather than the flaws

2. of society. Marx wanted to replace this kind of thinking with something Engels termed class
consciousness, workers' recognition of themselves as a class unified in opposition to capitalist and
ultimately to the capitalist system itself. In general, Marx wanted the proletarians to rise up against the
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capitalist and overthrow the capitalist system.
The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.
Freeman and slave, patrician and plebeian, lord and serf, guild-master and journeyman, in a word, oppressor and
oppressed, stood in constant opposition to one another, carried on an uninterrupted, now hidden, now open fight, a
fight that each time ended, either in a revolutionary re-constitution of society at large, or in the common ruin of the
contending classes.
Marxist-based social theory which argues that individuals and groups (social classes) within society have
differing amounts of material and non-material resources (the wealthy vs. the poor) and that the more
powerful groups use their power in order to exploit groups with less power.
Individuals subordinated to society.
Work was devoted to explaining how capitalism shaped society.
Profit is produced through the exploitation of the working class.
Considered the economic organization of society the most important influence on what humans think
and how they behave.
Theorized that society had three dimensions: political, economic, and cultural.
Believed that to understand social behavior one had to understand the meaning that a behavior had for
social actors.
Struggle, competition
Power, coercion Comparing and contrasting the functionalist perspective with that of the conflict
theory
Marxist and functionalism are similar in that they see that the way society is structured as an
important part in determining the way people have relationships and behave between
themselves. This is known as structural perspective. Both functionalists and Marxists believe
that people are portrayed as creature within the social system.
The view of both conflict perspective and functionalist perspective as it refers to the family.
The family is universal because it full fills the following essential functions for society
Sexual – controls sexuality, provides stability for adults
Reproductive – provides new members of society.
Economic – family provides for its members.
Educational – family socialises the young into societies norms and values.
While Parsons (1902-79) says “there are two basic irreducible functions of the family” and these
are:
The stabilisation of adult personalities – the family gives adults the emotional support necessary
to cope with the stresses of everyday life.
The view of both conflict perspective and functionalist perspective as it relates to education and
economy
The view of both conflict perspective and functionalist perspective as it related to religion
Marxists and functionalists view religion as a very important force in society but for very different
reasons. Functionalism sees religion as a source of social unity and cohesion whereas Marxists

3. analysis identifies religion as a social control mechanism not serving the interests of the whole
of society but just that of the ruling class.
When functionalist stated that religion has a purpose Marxist argued that religion hides the real
basis of power and exploitation. And that it alienates people from their true selves yet it’s the
means by which they can by way of delusion escape from suffering and
oppression....[continues]