Social Theory

What is the key difference between Structural-Functionalism and Social Conflict Theory?

Both are macro perspectives. However, Structural-Functionalist focus mainly on describing how society works in order to stay balanced. On the other hand, Conflict Theorists focus on promoting social change and social justice.

Who developed the framework for Social Conflict Theory?

Karl Marx, in 19th Century Germany and England during the Industrial Revolution

What two conflicting social classes did Marx identify?

The owners and the workers.

According to Marx, which social class are the Owners?

The Bourgeoise

According to Marx, which social class are the workers?

The Proletariat.

According to Marx, conflict between the Bourgeoisie and Proletariat classes arrises from what social process?

The unequal distribution of social resources.

Marx thought what social resources were distributed unequally?

Money, wealth, power, education, opportunities, property, prestige, status, and control.

What social process did Marx think defined the history of society?

Class struggle driven by economic inequity.

According to Marx, the word "struggle" might refer to what social process?

Revolution, overthrowing, warfare, strife, hostility, battles, fighting, confrontations, life or death struggles.

According to Marx, capitalism promotes what?

Class struggle.

According to Marx, communism promotes what?

Class equity.

Marx specifically called for the forceful overthrow of what economic system?

Capitalism

Marx is widely know in the world as the father of what economic system?

Communism

Marx described situations in which the proletariat paradoxically seemed happy with their miserable conditions. What did he call this state of being?

False consciousness

Marx called for what different kind of consciousness to combat false consciousness?

Class consciousness

Approximately what portion the world's population today live in countries founded on or governed by Marx's communist principles?

One-Third.

For example: Russia, China, Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Vietnam, and much of Africa.

Who was the first African-American sociologist of note?

W.E.B. Du Bois

As a Conflict Theorist and a social activist Addams created what gender specific services?

She created "Settlement Houses" for women who had been abandoned or abused. Her very interesting biography is in our library if you would like to read it for extra credit. Chicago School

Why might John Foster Bellamy ask sociological questions about the abundance of toilet paper?

Foster is a radical conflict theorist who specializes in environmental issues. He is concerned with the capitalistic motivations behind the destruction of rain forests. He teaches Sociology at the University of Oregon.

Is Conflict Theory a macro or micro sociological perspective?

Macro: Because it examines large and far-reaching social phenomenons and aims to define and control large social actions.

What is the key difference between Structural-Functionalism and Social Conflict Theory?

Both are macro perspectives. However, Structural-Functionalist focus mainly on describing how society works in order to stay balanced. On the other hand, Conflict Theorists focus on promoting social change and social justice.