Marx and Conflict Theory 1/27 The basic model of structure The basic model of dynamics Alienation Current presidents of the ASA Freedom

Exercise #1 I sent everyone an that passes on some changes in access to the Annual review of sociology I sent everyone an that passes on some changes in access to the Annual review of sociology Mistitled Exercise #2 rather than #1Mistitled Exercise #2 rather than #1 Sometime this week, find and write up at least one review article from the Annual Review dealing with your topic. Sometime this week, find and write up at least one review article from the Annual Review dealing with your topic. Problems? Problems?

The Structure of ch. 1-5 of One World Chapters 1-5 deal with Marx, Durkheim and Weber, the three classical theorists. Chapters 1-5 deal with Marx, Durkheim and Weber, the three classical theorists. They are the basis of virtually all sociological theory. They are the basis of virtually all sociological theory. Each chapter is divided into three parts: the theorist’s view of social structure; social dynamic; and social problems (turbulence). Each chapter is divided into three parts: the theorist’s view of social structure; social dynamic; and social problems (turbulence).

“Coherence:” social structure They had different views of social structure. They had different views of social structure. For Marx, society is essentially a structure of inequality. For Marx, society is essentially a structure of inequality. Who gets what and why. Who gets what and why. Thus there are different structures and ideologies in preliterate, bureaucratic theocratic (Egypt, China), slaveholding (Greece, Rome), feudal (medieval) and capitalist societies. Thus there are different structures and ideologies in preliterate, bureaucratic theocratic (Egypt, China), slaveholding (Greece, Rome), feudal (medieval) and capitalist societies. And so the structures and dynamics of gender, health, education, politics, race, etc. are different. And so the structures and dynamics of gender, health, education, politics, race, etc. are different.

Class in General Social Survey A simplistic conflict theory is that: Social class affects almost everything A simplistic conflict theory is that: Social class affects almost everything IncomeIncome Respondent’s incomeRespondent’s income Occupation.Occupation. Occupational prestigeOccupational “CLASS?” (Subjective class identification)“CLASS?” (Subjective class identification) But many other variables such as race, have a high class loading. But many other variables such as race, have a high class loading. Empirically test the effects of class. Empirically test the effects of class.

Conflict dynamics Marx approached structure dynamically: the rules of the game produce increased inequality, and the rules are contested. Marx approached structure dynamically: the rules of the game produce increased inequality, and the rules are contested. Capitalism is like a game of monopoly in which those with resources get more. Capitalism is like a game of monopoly in which those with resources get more. The resources are not only property but political influence, social status and ideological dominance. The resources are not only property but political influence, social status and ideological dominance. The Manifesto called in the 19th c. for policies to reduce that concentration such as a progressive income tax and free public ed. The Manifesto called in the 19th c. for policies to reduce that concentration such as a progressive income tax and free public ed.

Freedom under capitalism Marx, like the other classic theorists, welcomed the disappearance of aristocratic, monarchical society with established state religions, etc. Marx, like the other classic theorists, welcomed the disappearance of aristocratic, monarchical society with established state religions, etc. He saw capitalism as progressive, He saw capitalism as progressive, (“The bourgeoisie, historically, has played a most revolutionary part.”(“The bourgeoisie, historically, has played a most revolutionary part.” “All that is solid melts into air.”“All that is solid melts into air.” “The cheap prices of its commodities are the heavy artillery with which it batters down all Chinese walls.”)“The cheap prices of its commodities are the heavy artillery with which it batters down all Chinese walls.”) but he also believed that the revolutions such as the French and American had stopped half way, and had to be carried through the abolition of slavery, classes, and coercive states. but he also believed that the revolutions such as the French and American had stopped half way, and had to be carried through the abolition of slavery, classes, and coercive states.

The puzzle of “dialectic” Each of the classic theories also posed a methodological issue. Each of the classic theories also posed a methodological issue. The central issue for conflict theory has been the discontinuous development of “contradictions.” The central issue for conflict theory has been the discontinuous development of “contradictions.” Different Marxists developed very different kinds of “dialectic” and non-Marxists developed still others. Different Marxists developed very different kinds of “dialectic” and non-Marxists developed still others. However, it is evident that any positive feedback system of this kind will tend to develop discontinuously. However, it is evident that any positive feedback system of this kind will tend to develop discontinuously.

The dynamic of monopoly: The dynamic of such positive feedbacks is polarizing and discontinuous. E.g. Monopoly: The dynamic of such positive feedbacks is polarizing and discontinuous. E.g. Monopoly: but besides rents there is health, education, status, power, etc. but besides rents there is health, education, status, power, etc. propertiesRents (i.e. $ to buy and improve properties) + + resourcesAccess to more resources

The Marxian view of social dynamics Marx saw each form of inequality being replaced by a later form which was less oppressive. Marx saw each form of inequality being replaced by a later form which was less oppressive. Most of human existence was in classless societies. Most of human existence was in classless societies. By concentrating resources (capital, land, power, communications) class societies make progress possible. By concentrating resources (capital, land, power, communications) class societies make progress possible. By creating vested interests in oppression, they block the progress they make possible. By creating vested interests in oppression, they block the progress they make possible.

Changing the rules of Monopoly Think of 5 ways that the rules of Monopoly could be changed to slow down the process of polarization. Think of 5 ways that the rules of Monopoly could be changed to slow down the process of polarization. What are the real world equivalents? What are the real world equivalents? They have been the main focus of social and political struggle through the 20 th c. and probably will be through the 21 st. They have been the main focus of social and political struggle through the 20 th c. and probably will be through the 21 st.

The genesis of social problems – turbulent dynamics and alienation Each of the classical theorists generated a dynamic of social problems and indeterminate turbulence. Each of the classical theorists generated a dynamic of social problems and indeterminate turbulence. For Marx, this is the mutual reinforcement of various kinds of alienation, For Marx, this is the mutual reinforcement of various kinds of alienation, but those in turn are contested by those who are alienated. but those in turn are contested by those who are alienated.

To him who hath, shall be given: the example of education The US has a strong commitment to equal educational opportunity in the abstract. The US has a strong commitment to equal educational opportunity in the abstract. But in Philadelphia, no one thinks that equal educational opportunity really exists. But in Philadelphia, no one thinks that equal educational opportunity really exists. By looking at the General Social Survey, one can see to what degree educational success is a function of family background. By looking at the General Social Survey, one can see to what degree educational success is a function of family background. Similar issues appear in health, law, or race Similar issues appear in health, law, or race

The rich get richer and the poor get prison Depending whether one has a good lawyer, different people who commit the same act will be treated differently. Depending whether one has a good lawyer, different people who commit the same act will be treated differently. Depending whether it is crime in the streets or crime in the suites, acts may be criminalized to different degrees. Depending whether it is crime in the streets or crime in the suites, acts may be criminalized to different degrees. Structures of race, status, and social influence accentuate this. Structures of race, status, and social influence accentuate this. The criminal justice system sometimes further disorganizes and victimized a poor community. The criminal justice system sometimes further disorganizes and victimized a poor community.

Conflict theory in contemporary sociology: The last three presidents of the American Sociological Association The last three presidents of the American Sociological Association Are all conflict theorists. Are all conflict theorists. They differ from each other. They differ from each other. But they illustrate contemporary conflict theory: But they illustrate contemporary conflict theory: 1. Joe Feagin: past president 2. Douglas Massey: current president 3. Barbara Reskin: incoming president

The best and worst of times Feagin began his 2000 ASA Presidential address by saying that the last 30 years have been the best of times for those at the top and the worst of times for those below. Feagin began his 2000 ASA Presidential address by saying that the last 30 years have been the best of times for those at the top and the worst of times for those below.ASA Presidential addressASA Presidential address Enormous increases in inequality in US and in the world as a whole. Enormous increases in inequality in US and in the world as a whole. Mansionization and homelessness are the flip side of a single coin. Mansionization and homelessness are the flip side of a single coin. A spaceship with our inequality of housing, education, health care or power would fail. A spaceship with our inequality of housing, education, health care or power would fail.

Residential Segregation Massey’s American Apartheid argues that the structure of residential segregation Massey’s American Apartheid argues that the structure of residential segregation Is imposed on the black population.Is imposed on the black population. Is a system of exploitation like that of South AfricaIs a system of exploitation like that of South Africa Creates fundamentally different life chances.Creates fundamentally different life chances. And reinforces all other racial inequalities.And reinforces all other racial inequalities.

Affirmative Action Realities of Affirmative Action in Employment was published by the ASA Realities of Affirmative Action in Employment was published by the ASA Argues that opposition to affirmative action is based on a series of myths. Argues that opposition to affirmative action is based on a series of myths. The playing filed is not yet level for blacks and for women The playing filed is not yet level for blacks and for women The main problem is croyism. The main problem is croyism. Affirmative action policies level the playing field for merit somewhat, and abolishing them will make it more unequal again. Affirmative action policies level the playing field for merit somewhat, and abolishing them will make it more unequal again.

The General Social Survey Becoming familiar with the GSS items is time consuming, and survey evidence cannot address all questions. Becoming familiar with the GSS items is time consuming, and survey evidence cannot address all questions. But a large fraction of current research uses the GSS. But a large fraction of current research uses the GSS. If your question is appropriately generalized, at least part of it can be addressed using the GSS If your question is appropriately generalized, at least part of it can be addressed using the GSS

The GSS annotated index One of the reasons it is useful is that the fact that it is used for so much research means that you can go to the Michigan web site to find annotated articles using any GSS variable. (Go to mnemonic and then links.) One of the reasons it is useful is that the fact that it is used for so much research means that you can go to the Michigan web site to find annotated articles using any GSS variable. (Go to mnemonic and then links.)Michigan web siteMichigan web site Therefore, a GSS operationalization of something to be explained will immediately generate a stream of current research. Therefore, a GSS operationalization of something to be explained will immediately generate a stream of current research.

A crosstabulation (review) Usually you will test the hypothesis of a causal relation by running a crosstabulation. Usually you will test the hypothesis of a causal relation by running a crosstabulation. Take your independent variable as the row variable, calculate row percentages, and see what is the difference between them. Take your independent variable as the row variable, calculate row percentages, and see what is the difference between them. Check whether the differences are statistically significant, though that is a minor issue in this course. Check whether the differences are statistically significant, though that is a minor issue in this course.

Freedom (review) The current war raises questions what are American conceptions of freedom, and why? The current war raises questions what are American conceptions of freedom, and why? Patterson’s Freedom vol. I and II argues that Freedom is the central value of the West; Patterson’s Freedom vol. I and II argues that Freedom is the central value of the West; it is valued mainly by those who do not have it (slaves, women, subordinate populations); it is valued mainly by those who do not have it (slaves, women, subordinate populations); and it consists of three components. and it consists of three components. We took the battery of freedom questions he included in the last General Social Survey. We took the battery of freedom questions he included in the last General Social Survey.

Some Race effects on HOW FREE? RACE by HOW FREE? GREAT DEALSOMELOW/NONEMissing WHITE %25.2%3.3% 100.0% BLACK %31.7%6.4% 100.0% Missing TOTAL %26.3%3.8%

Some gender effects on HOW FREE? SEX by HOW FREE? GREAT DEALSOMELOW/NONEMissingTOTAL MALE %30.5%5.0% 100.0% FEMALE %22.6%2.8% 100.0% TOTAL %26.1%3.8%

Some class effects on HOW FREE? INCOME by HOW FREE? GREAT DEALSOMELOW/NONEMissingTOTAL LOW %31.8%6.5% 100.0% MIDDLE %28.1%3.2% 100.0% HIGH %19.9%1.2% 100.0% Missing TOTAL %26.5%3.5%

WLTH POV Fundamental issues of freedom in 20th + 21st c Many people believe that the right of some to make as much money as they please, even if others are in great poverty, is what freedom is all about. Many people believe that the right of some to make as much money as they please, even if others are in great poverty, is what freedom is all about. While others believe that the coexistence of wealth and poverty are in complete contradiction to freedom. While others believe that the coexistence of wealth and poverty are in complete contradiction to freedom. This is sometimes called the issue of social or economic democracy. This is sometimes called the issue of social or economic democracy. Patterson’s theory: those who lack it value it. Patterson’s theory: those who lack it value it.

Race  WLTH POV

GENDER  WLTH POV

INCOME  WLTH POV INCOME by WLTH POV AGREENEITHERDISAGREEMissingTOTAL LOW %15.8%54.0% 100.0% MIDDLE %18.8%44.0% 100.0% HIGH %20.6%31.9% 100.0% Missing TOTAL %18.6%42.8%