Consensus vs Conflict Theory
Consensus theory posits that society is held together by shared values and norms, emphasizing cooperation and stability. Conflict theory, on the other hand, views society as characterized by inequality and power struggles, with different groups competing for resources and influence. These theories offer contrasting perspectives on the nature of social order and change.
8 Key excerpts on "Consensus vs Conflict Theory"
eBook - ePub- Ken Browne(Author)
- 2019(Publication Date)
- Polity(Publisher)
...Society is seen as basically harmonious and stable, because of the agreement on basic values (value consensus) established through socialization. Consensus theorists, when studying society, emphasize these shared norms and shared values that exist between people, and see society made up of individuals and social institutions working together in harmony, without much conflict between individuals and groups. Conflict theory Conflict theory emphasizes that social order is maintained by coercion and power, with power in the hands of those with the greatest political, economic and social resources. Conflict theory has its origins in the work of Karl Marx (1818–83) and Max Weber (1864–1920), and is found in the work of feminist writers. Conflict theory A sociological approach that emphasizes social differences and conflicts, with inequalities in wealth, power and status all creating conflicts between individuals and groups. Feminist Someone who believes that women are disadvantaged in society, and should have rights, power and status equal to those of men. Rather than viewing society as essentially peaceful, harmonious and based on value consensus, as consensus theorists do, conflict theorists emphasize social differences and conflicts between individuals, groups and classes. They emphasize conflicts created by inequalities in wealth, power and status when describing and explaining society, as individuals and groups struggle against one another, pursuing different interests. Conflict theory is associated with Marxist, Weberian and feminist theories (see pages 53 – 9). Conflicts exist, for example, between White British people and BAME groups, between men and women, between the rich and the poor, between employers and employees, between different religious groups (e.g. Christians and Muslims), and between different age groups (e.g...
eBook - ePub- Cheryl A. Picard(Author)
- 2002(Publication Date)
- Dundurn Press(Publisher)
...1 The Theory Chapter 1: Conflict Theory Conflict is an inevitable, pervasive, and important aspect of social life. It is a relational concept that involves the interaction of people or groups in society. Conflict is generated by differences in ideas, values, and beliefs. Although a familiar part of our existence, conflict has contradictory forms, processes, and outcomes. On the one hand, it can serve to enhance relations, increase productivity, and create new understandings. It helps to clarify and reinforce societal standards and provide an opportunity, for growth and moral development. On the other hand, conflict can create dysfunction and disorder in society, destroy relationships, and cause pain. The central assumption of conflict theory is that it has personal and social value – that it is “functional” for society (Coser, 1956). The study of conflict has been undertaken by a range of disciplines; its resolution has become the fascination of a diverse group of psychologists, sociologists, economists, and game theorists. The result is a field of study and practice that is both rich and stimulating. The central assumption of conflict theory is that it has personal and social value. History Classical thinkers such as Plato and Aristotle viewed conflict as a threat to the success of the state, a view which led to the belief that conflict needed to be kept to a minimum, if not totally eliminated. 1 Seventeenth-century philosophers Hobbes and Locke posited the social contract theory that order was essential for a proper society. In opposition to the belief that conflict was undesirable and harmful, contemporary theorists argue that conflict is as essential to the proper functioning of society as are stability and order...
- Ken Browne(Author)
- 2017(Publication Date)
- Polity(Publisher)
...6 THEORY AND METHODS TOPIC 1 Consensus, conflict, structural and social action theories (pages 367–395) Consensus and conflict theories (page 369) ➤ Consensus theory – Society is primarily harmonious. Social order is maintained through a widespread agreement between people on the important goals, values and norms of society – a value consensus. It is primarily associated with functionalist theory, which has its origins in the work of Durkheim. ➤ Conflict theory – Society is primarily conflict-ridden and unstable, as individuals and groups struggle with one another, pursuing competing interests. It is associated with Marxist, Weberian and feminist theories. ➠ Marxists see societies divided by conflict and exploitation between bourgeoisie and proletariat. ➠ Feminists see societies divided by patriarchy, with men in positions of power and dominance over women. ➠ Weberians see conflicts in society arising between: ➣ Social classes – pursuing economic interests. ➣ Status groups – pursuing social prestige and respect. ➣ Parties – groups pursuing power to influence policies in their interests. Structuralism (pages 369–370) ➤ The behaviour, values and identities of individuals are formed by external social forces. ➤ Sociology should study the overall structure of society, the social institutions which make up this structure, and the relationships between these social institutions (a macro, or large-scale, approach). ➤ Positivism is the main methodological approach, using quantitative research methods to measure the social forces acting on individuals to control their behaviour. ➤ The individual states of mind and meanings of individuals are seen as a reflection of these external forces, and so are not seen as worth studying in their own right. Functionalism (consensus structuralism) (pages 370–375) ➤ Society is a system or a structure of. interconnected parts which fit together to form an integrated whole...
eBook - ePubThe War Game
Studies of the New Civilian Militarists
- Irving Horowitz(Author)
- 2017(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
...Nonetheless, it cannot be said that the history of social and political theory has been a one-sided acceptance of conflict theory and its underlying power thesis as the only explanation of social structure and social action. Such an assertion would have to discount the bulk of writing from Aristotle’s “golden mean” to Dewey’s “common faith.” Thus the history of conflict and consensus has been a dialogue between exclusive frames of reference seeking to explain the same phenomenon—human cooperation. From the point of view of sociological history, however, it is pertinent to bear in mind its close affiliation with conflict theorists, Marx on Klassenkampf, Gumplowicz on Rassen-kampf, Mosca’s ruling and ruled classes, and Simmel on Superordnung and Unterordnung. Only now, with sociology in the full passion of its empiricist revolt against European systems of sociology and social philosophy, has a strenuous effort been made to overcome theories of conflict—what has come to be termed “crisis ideologies.” Part of this cleansing process has been the promotion of consensus theory. With this promotion has come the inevitable search for new sociological hero images. The brilliant social historian deTocqueville in particular has been elevated in current estimates. 12 The rallying point in deTocqueville is the comment that “a society can exist only when a great number of men consider a great number of things from the same point of view; when they hold the same opinions upon many subjects, and when the same occurrences suggest the same thoughts and impressions to their minds.” 13 Here then seems to be the historical progenitor of the new theory of consensus, and the repudiation of those political sociologies which seek to define social structure in terms of holders and seekers of power, of the ability to command and to coerce...
eBook - ePubCriminological Theories
Introduction and Evaluation
- Ronald L. Akers(Author)
- 2013(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
...Chapter 8 Conflict Theory DOI: 10.4324/9781315062723-8 Introduction Conflict theory begins with the assumption that society is not held together by agreement and consensus on major values but rather is: [A] congeries of groups held together in a dynamic equilibrium of opposing group interests and efforts. The continuity of group interactions, the endless series of moves and countermoves, of checks and cross-checks…in an immediate and dynamically maintained equilibrium…provides opportunity for a continuous possibility of shifting positions, of gaining or losing status, with the consequent need to maintain an alert defense of ones positions…. Conflict is viewed, therefore, as one of the principal and essential social processes upon which the continuing on-going society depends. (Vold, 1958 :204) Power is the principal determinant of the outcome of this conflict. The most powerful groups control the law, so that their values are adopted as the legal standards for behavior. The members of less powerful groups, though they suffer legislative and judicial defeats, continue to act in accordance with their internal group norms, which means violating the law. Thus, conflict theory offers both an explanation of law and criminal justice and an explanation of criminal and deviant behavior. In the first part of this chapter, conflict theory is contrasted with consensus/functionalist theory as an explanation of law and criminal justice. In the second part, the theory that crime is produced by group and culture conflict is presented and evaluated. Law Is a Type of Social Control Social control consists of a normative system with rules about the way people should and should not behave, and a system of formal and informal mechanisms used to control deviation from, and promote conformity to, these rules. Informal social control exists in the family, friendship groups, churches, neighborhoods, and other groups in the community...
eBook - ePub- Ewan Ingleby(Author)
- 2017(Publication Date)
- SAGE Publications Ltd(Publisher)
...Chapter 4 Conflict theory and social work Conflict theory Conflict theory is influenced by the ideas of Karl Marx. It is a sociological perspective that is similar to functionalism, with its focus on the social system. Conflict theory is different to functionalism due to the importance that is placed on economics. The perspective explores the material circumstances that produce conflict within social systems. Taylor et al. (2004, p15) emphasise the importance of the concept of ‘ideology’ to conflict theory. Ideology is produced by beliefs and values which are regarded as being based on material circumstances, and is considered to support the values of the rich and powerful sectors of social groups as opposed to the social system’s poor and powerless. Marx is associated with conflict theory and he was especially interested in those aspects of the social system that appear to be contradictory. He also talked about the terms ‘infrastructure’ and ‘superstructure’. Whereas the infrastructure relates to all tangible aspects of the economic system, the superstructure corresponds to systems of belief and the ideas that are generated from these beliefs. According to Marx, the economic infrastructure has a critical influence on the beliefs and ideas of the superstructure. He draws attention to the importance of social classes. The traditional Marxist emphasis is placed on the existence of two main social groups: a ruling class and a subject class. The contradictory circumstances of these two social classes form the basis of conflict within society according to conflict theorists, and Marx argues that there are a series of fundamental contradictions within capitalist societies. This interest in contradictions links Marx’s philosophy to the work of Georg W. F. Hegel, and the exemplification of such contradictory relationships can be seen in the traditional working arrangements for factories...
eBook - ePubSocial Movements
Ideologies, Interest, and Identities
- Anthony Oberschall(Author)
- 2017(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
...These are the most important dependent variables of social conflict theories. This review is mainly concerned with describing and evaluating the two principal approaches to conflict theory: the breakdown-deprivation approach and the solidarity-mobilization approach. The older classics and the well-known theories based on them like Dahrendorf (1959) and Coser (1956) are not reviewed here, because their contributions have become part of the shared fund of sociological knowledge. However, I indicate in a short example how the classics might be more tightly incorporated into current conflict theories. 1 This review also omits evaluations of the conflict perspective in sociological thinking, because a perspective or orientation is not a theory of conflict defined by the three broad topics. For instance, Randall Collins’ Conflict Sociology: Towards an Explanatory Science (1975), does not contain the statement of a theory of social conflict. It is rather a work of general sociology written from a conflict perspective. Collins writes little about overt conflict, such as strikes, rebellion, and collective violence. He does not discuss the forms of conflict, the formation of conflict groups, mobilization, recruitment, and leadership, nor outcomes and conflict resolution. And he deals only briefly with major and common group conflicts such as ethnic, racial, and communal conflicts. He seeks instead to explain how structures of domination based on social class, gender, and age differences have come about and how they are maintained. These structures of domination have a potential for conflict, but the link between these structures and overt conflict is not explicitly spelled out. However, I am concerned with two issues of theory construction that are particularly salient in theorizing about social conflict. The first is levels of analysis. Some theorists treat a conflict group as a single collective actor...
eBook - ePub- E.C. Cuff, W.W. Sharrock, D.W. Framcis, A.J. Dennis, D.W. Francis(Authors)
- 2015(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
...They reacted against Parsons’s alleged consensus view of society by forming a loose front of arguments on behalf of a ‘conflict’ approach. Consensus view of society This sees society as centred upon agreement and dominated by co-operation rather than conflict. Frequently the case for such an approach was made by default, i.e. by simply pointing to alleged deficiencies in Parsons’s approach. For example, he underestimated the importance of material interests and neglected the ways cultural elements such as values were the expression of sectional interests, imposed upon or instilled into others in order to rationalise their domination. Conflict theorists produced no body of work comparable to Parsons’s in its systematic quality, perhaps because the central ideas of conflict theory were essentially a restatement of Marxian and Weberian conceptions. Weber’s concept of society as an arena of conflicts in which groups compete for domination through economic, cultural and political means (Bendix 1960 : 265–69) provides the essence of conflict theory. Whereas Parsons was concerned to provide an analytical framework applicable at all levels of social order, conflict theorists focused almost entirely on the level of the whole society. Like Weber and, to an even greater extent, Marx, they emphasise as society’s paramount phenomenon the contest for domination within the system of social stratification. Stratification is taken as the central organising feature of society, mainly with a view to demonstrating the degree to which other institutions and features of the culture are shaped in its image and structured to serve the interest of one stratified group rather than another. This view is given much contemporary acceptability through the work of Pierre Bourdieu (see Chapter 13)...
