How Does Conflict Theory Explain Inequality?

Conflict theory focuses on the competition between groups within society over limited resources. Conflict theory views social and economic institutions as tools of the struggle between groups or classes, used

to maintain inequality

and the dominance of the ruling class.

How does conflict theory view inequality?

The conflict theory in sociology states that

income inequality arises from the ways in which the societal elite are systemically able to control and manipulate the poor

. … Therefore, although an income gap

How does conflict theory view stratification and inequality?

According to conflict theory, social stratification

benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor

. Thus, it creates a system of winners and losers that is maintained by those who are on the top. The people who are losers do not get a fair chance to compete, and thus are stuck on the bottom.

How do functionalist theorists and conflict theorists explain inequality?

Functionalist theorists believe

that inequality is inevitable and desirable and plays an important function in society

. Important positions in society require more training and thus should receive more rewards. Social inequality and social stratification, according to this view, lead to a meritocracy based on ability.

How does conflict theory explain poverty?

conflict-theory approach: A sociological theory of poverty that

argues that stratification is dysfunctional and harmful to society but persists because it benefits the rich and powerful

.

What are the 3 basic assumptions of conflict theory?

In current conflict theory, there are four primary assumptions which are helpful to understand:

competition, revolution, structural inequality, and war

.

What are the advantages of conflict theory?

The strength of conflict theory is that

it seeks moral ends: the emancipation of humanity from false claims of “universality

.” Universality is when one group takes power and seeks to justify it on the grounds that it represents “freedom for all.” The reality is that it is “freedom for them.” Using universalist rhetoric …

What are the 3 different types of inequality?

• Income Inequality. Income inequality is the extent to which income is distributed unevenly in a group of people.
• Pay Inequality. A person’s pay is different to their income. …
• Wealth Inequality. …
• Gini Coefficient. …
• Ratio Measures. …
• Palma Ratio.

What are some examples of conflict theory?

• Occupy Wall Street. …
• The Education System. …
• The Criminal Justice System. …
• #MeToo Movement. …
• Race and Black Lives Matter. …
• Proposition 8.

What are 3 examples of inequality in society today?

The major examples of social inequality include

income gap, gender inequality, health care, and social class

. In health care, some individuals receive better and more professional care compared to others. They are also expected to pay more for these services.

What is a criticism of conflict theory?

Predictably, conflict theory has been criticized

for its focus on change and neglect of social stability

. Some critics acknowledge that societies are in a constant state of change, but point out that much of the change is minor or incremental, not revolutionary.

What is poverty theory?

Concretely, a theory should

explain why some are poor and others are not

, and why poverty is greater in one setting than another. Explanations of the causes of poverty can be classified into three broad families of theories: behavioral, structural and political.

Which of the following is an assumption of conflict theory?

The conflict theory rests its tenets on four assumptions which are

revolution, competition, structural inequality and war

. According to theorists, every conflict can be caused by any of these factors and also have any of them as an outcome.

What are the principles of conflict theory?

What are the main ideas of Karl Marx’s theory?

Marx’s most popular theory was ‘historical materialism