SOC 2700 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Group Conflict, Conflict Theories, Differential Association

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 2700
• Professor: Stephanie Howells

Document Summary

All conlict theories are predicated on one fundamental assumpion: The powerful create and maintain an image of consensus to pacify the masses. These theories focus on the poliical and economic structures of society o. Especially the making and enforcement of laws (e. g. how are laws used to maintain the status quo?) Conlict arises between many groups over power and the ability to see their interests fulilled o. Struggle for resources such as money, land, poliical power, etc. Power is generally wielded by those in the higher social strata (e. g. upper and middle class) o. The problem: the law may come to relect the interests, moral values, and preferences of the powerful causing the acions of dissenters (the powerless) to be criminalized. Conlict over poliical power and resources exists between two classes. The ruling class controls scare societal resources and the law. The law is used as a mechanism to subjugate the ruled o.