Understanding social inequality: The social conflict approach and its implications for societal change

Social Conflict Approach

A framework for building theory that sees society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict/change.

The social conflict approach is a theoretical perspective in sociology that emphasizes the struggle for power and resources among different groups in society. This approach suggests that social inequality and social stratification are pervasive and persistent features of social life, and that they result from the competing interests and goals of various social groups.

According to the social conflict approach, social order is maintained by those who hold power and resources, who use these advantages to control and subjugate those who lack them. This power imbalance results in the creation of social classes and a system of social stratification, where individuals are ranked in a hierarchical system according to their social, economic, and political power.

The social conflict approach also highlights the role of social institutions in maintaining and perpetuating social inequality. For example, educational institutions may reproduce social inequality by providing unequal access to educational opportunities and resources. Similarly, the criminal justice system may disproportionately target and punish individuals from marginalized groups, perpetuating social inequality and reinforcing existing power imbalances.

Overall, the social conflict approach emphasizes the need for social change and the redistribution of power and resources in order to address social inequality and create a more just and equitable society.

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