Example 1 The Financial Crisis 2008 and Bank Bailouts Some political theorists have suggested that the financial crash was the inevitable outcome of the huge inequalities in Western societies They say the present structure of our economic systems enables the largest banks to take huge risks that reward only the few Many of those affected by job losses and companies collapsing were the lowest paid workers Also, the government ‘bailed’ out the banks i.e. The Royal Bank of Scotland with money; this led to cuts to healthcare and austerity which negatively affected ‘the many’ This led to conflict between the working classes and the government/ elite i.e. ‘We are the 99%’ It can be argued that mainstream political institutions and the laws they pass favour dominant groups and individuals

Example 2 Gender Inequality – Oppression of Women Some political theorists have suggested men attempted to suppress women through history In many societies, laws were introduced to prevent women being equal to men In Britain, the law stated (until quite recently!) that women may not own property, vote or hold equal marriage rights to men It can be argued that those in power (men) created laws to oppress women in order to reduce their influence e.g not to participate in politics This led to conflict between men & women i.e. The Suffragettes who campaigned violently for the vote 1903-1914

Example 3 African Americans Africans were forcibly taken to the Americas to be sold as slaves When Slavery was outlawed in the US constitution in 1865, the elite (White men) wanted to control the African population Laws were introduced known as ‘Jim Crow Laws’ which barred African Americans from voting, from attending college and university and generally having Civil Rights During the 20th century this led to conflict – protests and riots i.e. 1967 Detroit – 12th Street Riot It could be argued that this racial discrimination continues today i.e. African Americans more likely to be incarcerated Current day conflicts e.g. Ferguson, Missouri 2014

Black Lives Matter