Social Stratification
DISCUSS TO ASSESS THE APPLICABILITY OF THE CONFLICT THEORY IN EXPLAINING STRATIFICATION.
‘Stratification’ is a term used to characterize a structure of inequality where individuals occupy differentiated structural positions and the positions are situated in layers (or strata) that are ranked hierarchically according to broadly recognized standards .( Durlauf 1999)
The conflict theory in relation to social stratification argues that stratification,”reflects the distribution of power in society and is therefore a major source of disorder and coercion.”(Stanley 1998 : 227). The conflict theory is an acceptable way of understanding and explaining social stratification however on its own it does not adequately answer all the questions about stratification .In this essay, discussion will focus on how the conflict theory point of view can be applied in explaining stratification within society. It will further attempt to elucidate how other alternative theories such as functionalism and evolutionary theory explain the existence of stratification in the society. Many followers of the conflict theory where social stratification is concerned argue that stratification occurs through the struggle for scarce resources. They derive this argument from Karl Marx who in his early of capitalism wrote that, “all history is characterised by a class struggle between the powerful and the powerless, the exploiters and the exploited”. The conflict theory supports the idea that stratification is a direct result of inequalities and disproportions that exist between the bourgeoisie who are the owners of the means of production and the proletariate, the labourers and those who provide the work force for the bourgeoisie.
Karl Marx (1818-1883) is the major proponent of the conflict theory which was termed Marxism. He was mainly concerned with how economic determinism influences all other issues like stratification in influencing conflict. Marx was of the view that people are in
‘Stratification’ is a term used to characterize a structure of inequality where individuals occupy differentiated structural positions and the positions are situated in layers (or strata) that are ranked hierarchically according to broadly recognized standards .( Durlauf 1999)
The conflict theory in relation to social stratification argues that stratification,”reflects the distribution of power in society and is therefore a major source of disorder and coercion.”(Stanley 1998 : 227). The conflict theory is an acceptable way of understanding and explaining social stratification however on its own it does not adequately answer all the questions about stratification .In this essay, discussion will focus on how the conflict theory point of view can be applied in explaining stratification within society. It will further attempt to elucidate how other alternative theories such as functionalism and evolutionary theory explain the existence of stratification in the society. Many followers of the conflict theory where social stratification is concerned argue that stratification occurs through the struggle for scarce resources. They derive this argument from Karl Marx who in his early of capitalism wrote that, “all history is characterised by a class struggle between the powerful and the powerless, the exploiters and the exploited”. The conflict theory supports the idea that stratification is a direct result of inequalities and disproportions that exist between the bourgeoisie who are the owners of the means of production and the proletariate, the labourers and those who provide the work force for the bourgeoisie.
Karl Marx (1818-1883) is the major proponent of the conflict theory which was termed Marxism. He was mainly concerned with how economic determinism influences all other issues like stratification in influencing conflict. Marx was of the view that people are in