Conflict Perspective

In contrast to functionalists' emphasis on stability and consensus, conflict sociologists see the social world in continual struggle. The conflict perspec­tive assumes that social behavior is best under­stood in terms of conflict or tension among com­peting groups. Such conflict need not be violent; it can take the form of labor negotiations, party politics, competition among religious groups for members, or disputes over cuts in the federal budget.

As we saw earlier, Karl Marx viewed struggle between social classes as inevitable, given the ex­ploitation of workers under capitalism. Expand­ing on Marx's work, sociologists and other social scientists have come to see conflict not merely as a class phenomenon but as a part of everyday life in all societies. Thus, in studying any culture, orga­nization, or social group, sociologists want to know who benefits, who suffers, and who domi­nates at the expense of others. They are con­cerned with the conflicts between women and men, parents and children, cities and suburbs, and whites and blacks, to name only a few. In studying such questions, conflict theorists are in­terested in how society's institutions—including the family, government, religion, education, and the media—may help to maintain the privileges of some groups and keep others in a subservient position.

Like functionalists, conflict sociologists tend to use the macro-level approach. Obviously, though, there is a striking difference between these two sociological perspectives. Conflict theorists are primarily concerned with the kinds of changes that conflict can bring about, whereas functiona­lists look for stability and consensus. Throughout most of the 1900s, American sociology was more influenced by the functionalist perspective. How­ever, the conflict approach has become increas­ingly persuasive since the late 1960s.

The conflict model is often approached with political undertones, since its perspective is viewed as more "radical" and "activist." This is because of its emphasis on social change and re­distribution of resources. On the other hand, the functionalist perspective, because of its focus on the stability of society, is generally seen as more "conservative." Currently, the conflict perspec­tive is accepted within the discipline of sociology as one valid way to gain insight into a society.

One important contribution of conflict theory is that it has encouraged sociologists to view soci­ety through the eyes of those segments of the population who rarely influence decision making. Early black sociologists such as W. E. B. Du Bois provided research that they hoped would assist the struggle for a racially egalitarian society. Du Bois had little patience for theorists like Herbert Spencer who seemed content with the status quo. Similarly, feminist scholarship in sociology has helped to illuminate our understanding of social behavior. A family's social standing is no longer viewed as defined solely by the husband's position and income. Feminist scholars have not only challenged stereotyping of women; they have also argued for a gender-balanced study of society in which women's experiences and contri­butions are as visible as those of men.