Conflict Theory Introduction

1. Conflict Theory Introduction • Roots • Marx and Weber • Coercion not consensus is what maintains social order • Marx saw a two tier system of Proletariat and Bourgeoisie struggling for control of the means of economic production • Weber – agreed in the importance of wealth, but • argued that power and status were of equal importance • Both saw different groups in conflict over social scarcities.

2. Modern Conflict Theory • 60’s open social conflict • Functionalism • Stability • Equilibrium • Consensus • Dahrendorf • the “two faces” of society • Functional theory (rulers) • Conflict theory (ruled) • Society is constantly changing • Change results from social conflict and dissent.

3. Dahrendorf’s Assumptions • Power is not a zero sum game • World not strictly divided • Winners • Losers • Power dominates and controls the powerless. • The powerful establish a social structure to maintain control • Authority positions are widely distributed • People only have power in some • President Corp v. family reunion

4. Dahrendorf's Assumptions • Dahrendorf believes • Functionalists are utopian • A society with the absence of power struggles or conflict • Real societies • Society maintains tension between stasis and change, • consensus and coercion • function and conflict

5. Social Structure, Group Interests, and Conflict Groups The central questioned of all social thought • How do societies adhere? • Two well established positions: • The Utopians (Functional Theory) • Represented by the Functional Theory • The Rationalists (Conflict Theory) • Represented by Conflict Theory • Conflict between the two positions is old. • Aristotle vs. Plato • Hobbes vs. Rousseau • Kant vs. Hegel • the debate has intensified.

6. Utopians V. Rationalists • Unless one believes that all philosophical arguments are irrelevant • the debate was exposed the fundamental alternatives of knowledge, moral and political orientation. • Utopians are represented by the Functional theory of society • Rationalists are represented by the Conflict theory of society • The two positions are mutually exclusive in most fields and people, but not is sociology. • Good Sociology uses one in A, another in B and both in C. but does not exclude any.

7. Parson’s Functionalism • Parsons is not aware of the rationalists conception of society • Parson includes no power struggles in society • He envisions a utopian society of consensus and agreement • How can functionalism explain daily conflict and disequilibria in society?

8. Functionalist vs. Conflict Theories • Functionalism Theory of Society • Every society is relatively persistent, stable structure of elements • Every society is a well integrated structure of elements • Every element in a society has a function. (i.e. contributes to the maintenance) • Every function in the social structure is based on a consensus of values between members • How can the theory explain a situation where employees of one company, go on a strike that leads to a general revolt against society?

9. Conflict Theory of Society • Every Society is at every point subject to the processes of change. Change is everywhere. • Every Society displays at every point dissensus and conflict. Conflict is everywhere • Every Element in a society contributes to its disintegration and change • Every Society is based on coercion of some members by others.

10. Dahrendorf’s Conflict Theory • Using Conflict theory he tries to show: • How relations of authority become productive of clashes of role interest, which • Under certain conditions leads to the formation of organized antagonistic groups within limited social organizations and societies.

11. Power and Authority • Two basic premises: • Certain people are entrusted with the right to exercise effective coercion over others • There is a differential distribution of power and authority • The central thesis: • The different distribution of authority creates systematic social conflicts (similar to the class conflicts described by Marx)

12. Power Defined • The probability that one actor within a social relationship will be in a position to carry out his/her will despite the resistance of others, regardless of the base of power. • Bases of Power • Reward • Coercive • Legitimate • Referent • Expert

13. Authority Defined • The probability that a command with a given specific content will be obeyed by a given group of people. • Does authority require a power base for existence? • For Example – expertise or referent

14. Power v. Authority • The difference between P/A • Power is essentially tied to the personality of the individual, but • Authority is always associated with social positions (status) • Dahrendorf is only concerned in his presentation with authority • Authority alone is part of the social structure, and therefore permits groupconflicts • Power only permits personalconflict

15. Authority and Conflict The reasons why authority always produces conflict: • Authority relations are always super and subordination • The super ordinate is expected to control the subordinate • Expectation are attached to status positions rather than the character of the individual • Authority relations specify the persons subject to control and the spheres within which control is permissible • Voluntary relations or socialized relations, there is a duty to obey • Authority that is perceived as legitimate threatens negative sanctions for non-compliance • The function of the legal system to support the exercise of legitimate authority

16. Imperatively Coordinated Associations • An association is the coordination of roles • Super Ordinate • Sub Ordinate • Tasks require effort coordination by group members • No task -> No coordination • Task introduction -> Coordination requirement

17. Conflict Analysis • Investigates • the generation of conflict groups created by authority relations in imperatively coordinated associations • the unit of analysis is the specific association • the dichotomy of authority positions • Do all associations involve super ordinate and sub ordinate positions?

18. Conflict Analysis cont. • Super ordinate/Sub ordinate dichotomy in all forms of associations • Everyone takes part in a large number of different ICA’s • Sometimes we are super ordinate • Sometimes we are sub ordinate

19. Power and Authority in Conflict Analysis • Is power a zero-sum concept? • Power is never a zero – sum game • Everyone, in every association has some power • Power, while not evenly distributed, is ubiquitous • Authority is a zero - sum concept • No matter how subtitle the distribution • Always a line • Those with authority (no matter how little) and those without

20. Elites in Society (ICA’s) • Elites are those who represent the super ordinate group in any ICA • Generally, subordinates out number the super ordinate • But in post industrial society, the number of people clearly subjected to authority decreases • Elites are only elite in specific associations

21. Elite Classes in Society • Always conflict between elites in different associations • The upper structure of society is not necessarily the elite class • There is constant change • Based on the given authority relations of the moment

22. The Masses and Suppressed • The masses as typically viewed • Ignorant • Powerless • Apathetic • Dahrendorf View • Intelligent • Empowered • Interested

23. Generalizations about the masses • Not necessarily the major of an association 2. Members are not necessarily connected by like culture 3. Existence is related to a particular association