Analyzing Social Change Through Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Punctuated Equilibrium

Campbell, Angus, and Phillip E. Converse. 1972. The Human Meaning of Social Change. New York: Russell Sage Foundation. UTSA Databaseshttps://ucat.lib.utsa.edu /vwebv/holdingsInfo?bibId= 181794/ (accessed February 20, 2013).

The conflict perspective, or conflict theory, derives from the ideas of Karl Marx, who believed society is a dynamic entity constantly undergoing change driven by class conflict. Conflict theorists generally see social change as abrupt, even revolutionary, rather than incremental (https://courses.lumenlearning.com).

Change is inevitable, and in the event of change taking place, some issues need to be addressed to make the necessary steps towards the attainment of the change that people want. In the view of what happens, there should be some hidden yet strong force that pushes

In addition, conflict theory is another method of viewing society, except this particular perspective is a microsociology method of analyzing society. Using conflict theory, means to take a closer look at the interactions between people within a society. In this case, Wal-Mart employees and factory workers will be studied.

The conflict perspective puts an emphasis on social inequality. The this perspective views society as different groups working against each other; they are competing for power and resources. This theory explains how our societies basic values come from the ruling class. Groups can be separated from social class, race, gender, or religion.

Conflict Theory – Macro level – This is built off of resources, status and power that is not evenly distributed throughout groups in our

The conflict perspective highlights the notion that society consists of individuals of different social classes and status groups that are of conflicting self- interests. As

There are three main theories of sociology; functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactionism. This paper will focus on two of those theories, functionalism and conflict theory. The objective is to delineate the assumptions of two out of the three theoretical perspectives and apply these assumptions to an analysis of social stratification. How this will be accomplished will be by comparing and contrasting their assumptions and by analyzing the two theories affect on social stratification. Then I will state my opinion on which of the two better fits my personal sociological views. Functionalism is many people's way to view the world sociologically. It states clearly that the

Conflict theory simply means that more powerful groups use their power in order to exploit groups with less power and the money is the mechanism which creates social disorder. Yesterday, I read a news about how so many kids are dying due to malnutrition in Yemen. I read some comments to see what people are thinking and what can be done about it? One comment said “if they cannot feed their kids they should stop having children and the problem will be solved”. Really, is that a solution, is it moms fault that their kids are hungry in a world that there is enough food for the entire population yet most people are hungry. She does not get hunger is caused by poverty and inequality, not scarcity. What that person who made the comment and many others who have the same perspective do not know is that inequality perpetuated because it benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor and “capitalism is the core of inequality and suffering” (lecture). And as you said in the lecture notes many people cannot see “how capitalistic system shapes all of society” that and blames the individuals for the suffering as in the example that I gave above. I also believe many of us know the consequences of capitalism but still continue to blame the individuals rather than taking an action, be an ally or rather than supporting those who suffer at least by making a supportive comment on the social media.

The conflict perspective originating from ideas of Karl Marx, is a macro overview of competition for limited resources and how the elite or government control the weak. People are then impacted by the creation of social structures, and the usual result is a differential of power between the "elite" and the "others". Conflict perspective focus is the elite 's goal to keep creating the divide between us and them from distribution of resources, power, and inequality.

Conflict theory sees societies comprised of groups with conflicting values and interests. (Vold et al. 1998)

1) Based on your readings, in class lectures, notes and discussions, in one to two

Explain the three major sociological perspectives of functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Identify which perspectives use a macrolevel or a microlevel of analysis. Apply each perspective to socialization.

Conflict theory is “A major sociological perspective that sees society as a set of groups in constant competition over wealth, power, and prestige. (Larkin, 2015)” Conflict theory is a more view primarily stating

Conflict theory is the theory that human behavior in social contexts is the result of conflicts between competing groups, as different social groups, be they class-, gender- or race-defined, have unequal power and access to power, yet all groups compete for limited resources. This inevitably gives rise to tension and conflict, albeit often of the subtle variety, as oftentimes the conflicts between groups have been institutionalized in society to such a degree that the conflicts and tensions are such an expected part of society that the conflict, and inequality, itself disappears from public sight, and consciousness. For example, an adherent of a world systems theory of conflict would point to the global competition for resources, particularly the inequality between rich and poor nations struggling to provide the basic necessities of life to their inhabitants, as evidence of global conflict. Conflict theories seek to explain the interactions of groups within society, and assert that social order is preserved involuntarily through the exercise of power one social class holds over another (Lindsey, 2010, 7). The conflict between groups is not always obvious or apparent, so it must be unraveled and examined in order to identify and establish the impact of such conflict on society as a whole, as well as individual members and social groupings.