Theories of Social Conflict - Essay Example

Theories of social conflict Conflict is defined as the by which one is inspired to engage in several restricted behaviors, which take place in various levels such as behavioral and verbal level. Other levels include symbolic and emotional level. Conflict mainly occurs when either of the above levels fails to match their intended task. Social refers to the process by which living things relate with one another with or without their concept. Social conflict theory is a collective social based theory, which indicates that people in a social set up differ in terms of wealth and poverty. Therefore, social conflict theory came up mainly to bring out the picture that people in a social set up do not benefit equally. In his theory, Georg Simmel gave an over view of conflict that occurs between individuals in different social ethnicity (Simmel 537). He concentrated much on investigating how different people handle themselves. Moreover, he impacted many researchers interested with the same field. Karl Marx in his theories majored in discussing the nature of the society in economic terms. He concentrated mainly on forces that go beyond individuals’ ability. Lewis Coser’s theory concentrated in observing the purpose of social conflict (Coser 45). He indicates that conflict may function to harden a loosely planned group. In a social set up where people are not incorporated or disagree with another society, may bring back the integrative essence. Similarities Conflict is the major descriptive variable Conflict was seen as the key social experience that individuals in the society cannot escape. They observed conflict as an ineradicable factor of social organization. In their theories, the three theorists stated that power is nothing rather a transformation of disagreements or in the intention of disagreement. All the theories are compatible in the sense the every individual has various goals and interests that they desire to have, which the societies may not identify but relatively familiar to everyone. Power is the center of social association In their theories, the three theorists stressed that power is the center of social association. Conflict at this point arose because power was inadequate and therefore it was not equally divided. This investigation raised anxiety on how resources were distributed, which lead some individuals get more power than others They claimed that fulfillment could be facilitated by extreme control over beneficial resources. These resources include technology and labor. They indicated that if the privileged in the society had power over these resources, then they would get the unprivileged involve in activities that only benefits them. Profit gained is because of workers exploitation (Shepherd, 24) Moral and value are perceived According to the theories, moral values are perceived as a weapon exploited by different individuals for there on benefit rather than for the identity and objectives of the public. They viewed the society as a systematic process whereby every member faces continuous predicaments trying to accommodate other people’s interests. A significant example is marriage process. The approach concurs on the composition of social life and morals in which individuals are enforced to live. Differences Georg Simmer’s and Lewis Coser were the first theorists to concentrate on conflict as a way that affect people in a certain society both in their inner and outer perspective (Coser 58). Marx in his theory investigated class disagreement, which developed fundamentally as a principle of improvement and transformation. However, many sociologist abandoned conflict issues and concentrated on the process and design of social incorporation. Karl Marx opinions differed with other theorist views since he saw history as being facilitated by the means of group conflict. Social groups are individuals who face the same life situations because they have the same affiliation through the process of production. Marx never backed other theorist ideas, which argued that an ordinary set of customs guides every individual in the society in the path of understanding. Differently, when agreement triumph among people in a certain society, Marx explained that chances are that the workers did not understand their genuine interest and this would lead them to fight against the collective class that manipulated them Unlike Marx, Simmel had partial impact on political philosophers, but he impacted individuals who carried out research on tribal conflict more. In his work, Simmel suggests that societies differ in the manner by which their members and the state respond to individual conflicts (Simmel 21). Marx identified conflict as an essential part of common life and he later united with workers in their fight against class differences. Even if he did not reduce the agony they experience because of violent conflict, he considered it as important process for personal improvement hence a war to be fought and won. Lewis Coser and Simmels work was strongly familiar compared to that of Marx. Coser seemed to bring out the difference between cruel and that of conflict. He stated that differences are based on true opposing interests. He also stated that innovative violence can seen more on a set character than on its substance interest. Simmel talked on the positive impact conflict as on individuals that experience it. Their research has enable people to have a clear understanding on conflict even though they did not provide a logical theory that could predict the results of a condition full of potential differences. In Karl’s investigation of capitalized expansion, class disagreement is seen as an expression of conflicting activities got from various relations on the process of production and development, while according to Georg Simmel, conflict comes because of competition over limited resources. Impact of conflict theories to the society Group ties were strengthened By accepting and responding to conflict, it became easier for people to resolve their differences and look for ways to surpass them. People listened and understood each other with love and perseverance. Desires and ideas of every individual in the family were valued and understood and embraced difference solving was the only solution to settle conflicts. System Boundaries were preserved Conflict theory became helpful equipment that could help identify the relationship between the privileged and less privileged in the society. This could be portrayed by physical and emotional expression. Another way to express enmity was verbally. Conflict theory was also useful since it gave details on non-economic differences in the community. Differences in spiritual believes and resources could lead to conflicts thus theory was applicable in such phenomena (Lewis 36). Unity among communities was enhanced People in different societies maintained oneness by associating with one another. Conflict played a major role in bringing segregated individual into a functional role thus increased the ability to solve conflicts. However, conflict may function to harden a loosely planned group. In a social set up where people are not incorporated or disagree with another society, may bring back the integrative essence. Conflict played a major role in exchange of ideas. They stood as negotiators and spokesperson on behalf of the society. The positions and limitations among individuals became clear and people were then able take appropriate guidelines in relation to their opposition Values and morals are clearly defined Moral conflict led individuals to behave immorally since they thought that the deeds of their opponents enforced them to do so. Individuals from similar culture have different mindsets, which may lead to violation of human rights, as everyone tends to think that his or her way of reasoning is the only best means of conflict resolution. Conflict theories helped individuals in the society solve matters relating to moral and values. Establish the strength of opposed interests Conflict serves as a means of discovering the power of opposed interests within a social set up and compose a system for maintenance of equal division of power. Conflict shows a rejection of an easier accommodation among individuals in the system and the moment the respective power of the competitors has been determined through conflict, a new balance can be applied and the association can continue on this new starting point. A social set up where conflict is excused disposes a vital means of preventing cases of imbalance by transforming the term of authority relations. Work cited Coser Lewis. The Functions of Social Conflict. New York. Taylor & Francis, 2008. Print. Simmel George. Philosophy of money. New York. Taylor & Francis, 2011. Print. Shepard John. Sociology, cengage advantage books. New York. Cengage learning, 2010. Print. Read More