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How Does Conflict Theory: A Revolution Make A Difference?

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Conflict Theory: A Revolution Can Make a Difference
A constant battle, in society, exists between those who struggle to make ends meet, and those who, “are able to obtain and keep more resources than others” (Keirns 2015). This constant battle is defined as Conflict theory, which was first acknowledged by the German philosopher, Karl Marx. Marx believed that a finite number of resources are dispersed, and fought for amongst a society’s members. (Keirns 2015) These resources include, but are not limited to, the education one chooses, the food one consumes, or the type of car that one drives. In ABC’s (2011) show, Last Man Standing, Tim Allen plays a middle class father, Mike Baxter, who owns an outdoor apparel store called, “Outdoor Man”. The show educates its …show more content…

Mandy, one of Mike’s daughters, meets a new friend in college, and is trying to compete with her friend to obtain a more prestigious social class. Her friend, Jenna, was raised from a family who, in society’s eyes, are more successful than her own. After being declined a new car for her birthday, Mandy states towards the beginning of the episode, “That’s not fair! Jenna’s mom is getting her that Escalade, and I’m a way better person than Jenna” (Clements 2011). Jealousy shows, as Mandy’s middle class status proves to be a barrier around her materialistic life. In her scholarly journal, Melissa Sanders (2012) explains why such a barrier exists by writing, “Those with working class identities have been found to have the levels of income, occupational prestige, and educational attainment typical of those objectively placed in the working class.” Since Mandy was raised in the working class, she does not have the same occupational prestige, or educational attainment as one in a higher class. This limits the amount of growth one can add towards their social economic standing without a

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