Conflict Theory: The Main Causes Of Social Inequality

Social inequalities can be described as the differences in “income, resources, power and status” (Naidoo and Wills 2008, in Warwick-Booth 2013, 2) that advantage a social class, a group or an individual over another, and thereby establish social hierarchies. It also affects inequalities in regards to gender, race, access to health and education, and general living conditions. In sociology, the dichotomy between the conflict theory approach and the functionalist approach has led to a discordant opinion in regards to social inequalities. The conflict theory seems to admit that social inequalities needs to disappear in order to install a common and equal base for all individuals, whereas the functionalist approach believes that social inequalities

Davis explores the theme of division between the social classes by using characters who view life based on their own economic statuses that works to reinforce the sill-existing gap of today. The social ladder is one that is filled with many holes. It is not a fair climb. Some will start out already at the top, while others will begin at the very bottom. No one can be faulted for where they start on this ladder.

Class struggle is a conflict in a particular society or between a society which is caused by the lack of unity in one society and different perspective of a different group in a society. It is also called class conflict or class warfare. One social issue of a class struggle is the social inequality. According to study.com, Social inequality is an inequity of social class, award, opportunities, religion, position in the community, social status and at some other point respect in a group of society. It is considered here the unbalanced power, occupation, race, teaching in schools, etc.

Immigrants and poor works worked together to increase the wages. The rich wanted to ensure in maintaining their power and wealth, leaving the others in terrible circumstances. “The purpose of the state was to settle upper-class disputes peacefully,control lower-class rebellion, and adopt policies that would further the long-range stability of the system”(Zinn, 238). Always, the wealthy and powerful have control the lower class, creating discriminatory laws. These laws that have been created is beneficial to the rich.

By posing negative opinions, one is increasing the probability of hate and threats against a certain group, such as the First Nations. Before one commits to a “process of reconciliation” (pg 6), one must be certain that their actions will create a valuable change in the world. An act that seems beneficial to one, might be damaging to another. Therefore, mankind needs to have opinions about social inequality which create a healthy and prosperous society. Hence, not only does mankind need to consider making a difference but they also need to make sure that they are making a favourable

Carnegie stated that it is “much better this great irregularity than universal squalor” (Andrew Carnegie, “Wealth”). I believe that Carnegie contradicts himself with this statement, and I feel that it could be considered to create an ethical situation. Through his works he emphasizes the importance of sharing wealth for the greater good of society and to bridge the gap between the classes, but yet this statement seems to say that only a few are chosen to be wealthy while the rest of society is not. It in some ways undercuts the capabilities of the lower class. The giants of industrialism made their fortunes because of the labor of those worked for them.

The truth is that through the nature of humanity, government is necessary to maintain control and peace. Societies are created by groups of people who find that living together and helping each other is better than attempting to live on their own. However, once a society gets very large with many different types of people it becomes necessary to implement some kind of government to suppress the inherent evil in man and to maintain peace and happiness. Humans need each other to succeed because it is more effective to work together than alone. This truth embraces all of human experiences because it is human nature to want to work together and this truth uses that part of humanity to justify the need for a government.

People became inherently self-interested because there were those who were considered the “fittest” (those were the people on the top), which were contrasted with those who were “unfit” (these people were those who had to work to be at the top). As for the redefinition of competition, this was defined as those who compete would reach the top. This time period was proven to be more cut throat in the way that you had to be inherently selfish to be at the top and competition was a major key factor in becoming part of the “fittest” class. Another ideal that prevailed was the idea that inequality is natural but equality is not. This meant that the world is purely a “dog eat dog” world, and there is no cooperation.

Gender Inequality Gender inequality is a characteristic of social structure according to which different social groups (in this case men and women) have certain differences resulting in unequal opportunities. Gender inequality is associated with social construction of masculinity and femininity as oppositional categories with unequal social value (Ferree, 1999). One of the main problems in gender theory is the problem of dominance. Together with race and class gender is a hierarchical structure that could to provide both opportunities and oppression (Ferree, 1999). Gender inequality can exist in different forms, depending on culture, region, religion and other factors.

CHAPTER 3 CLASS STRUGGLE Generally class struggle means conflict between the upper class and lower class the idea of Class struggle is long-used mostly by socialists and communists, who define a class by its relationship to the means of production such as factories, land, and machinery. From this point of view, the social control of production and labour is a fight between classes, and the division of these resources basically involves conflict and causes damage. Societies are socially divided based on status, wealth, or control of social production and distribution, and in this division of class conflict arises. It is important to know Karl Marx theory on class struggle; he viewed the structure of society in relation to