CONFLICT THEORIES

MARXISM and FEMINISM

CONFLICT THEORIES

See society as a structured whole.Structure of society is based on inequality

of distribution or production of resources.Struggle for power between different

groups in society.Society is therefore characterised by

conflict.

Karl Marx 1818 - 1883

Contradiction and Conflict – the basic characteristics of all known human societies

Society divided into two parts – infrastructure(economic base) superstructure(political, legal, education systems)

Infrastructure shapes the superstructure – the economic system largely shapes the rest of society

Marxism Conflict

Workers work together to produce goods in conflict with the individual nature of ownership

Leads to class conflict

Society is inherently unstable

Marxism Conflict

Workers are oppressed and exploited by the ruling class

Basic conflict of interest between capital and labour

Workers produce wealth but large part of wealth taken in form of profits by the capitalist class

Conflict Theory Marxism

Ideology replaces value consensus

Ideology = Set of Beliefs and Values which disguise the truth and distort reality

People may be unaware of the conflicts of interest which divide them

Conflict Theory Marxism

People may not realise that some oppress and exploit others

Lack of awareness can help to maintain social order

People will not attempt to overthrow a system if they do not recognise its injustice

FEMINISM

From this perspective, there is an emphasis upon gender as a starting point in sociological analysis.

Feminism sets out to explain the position of women in society and focuses attention upon how women have been subordinated and oppressed.

Feminism

Attention is directed to the unequal distribution of power between men and women.

Attention is given to the study of culture, roles, socialisation and patriarchy.

It acts as an academic basis for the feminist movement which advocates equality of opportunity for women and men and the eradication of inequalities.