CONFLICT THEORIES MARXISM and FEMINISM

Karl Marx Contradiction and Conflict – the basic characteristics of all known human societies Society divided into two parts – infrastructure(economic base) superstructure(political, legal, education systems) Infrastructure shapes the superstructure – the economic system largely shapes the rest of society

Marxism Conflict Workers work together to produce goods in conflict with the individual nature of ownership Leads to class conflict Society is inherently unstable

Marxism Conflict Workers are oppressed and exploited by the ruling class Basic conflict of interest between capital and labour Workers produce wealth but large part of wealth taken in form of profits by the capitalist class

Conflict Theory Marxism Ideology replaces value consensus Ideology = Set of Beliefs and Values which disguise the truth and distort reality People may be unaware of the conflicts of interest which divide them

Conflict Theory Marxism People may not realise that some oppress and exploit others Lack of awareness can help to maintain social order People will not attempt to overthrow a system if they do not recognise its injustice