Conflict theory in sociology and social analysis

Conflict Theory

The sociological theory known as Conflict Theory is characterized as one of deviance. In simple terms, it is the idea that "Life is characterized by conflict rather than consensus" (Hamlin, 2004). It is, perhaps some would argue, the state of the world today, both globally, and locally -- at least in the collective imagination of the "oppressed" masses.

In truth, there is much in support of the idea that the "current state of affairs" in America is highly concurrent with the idea of Conflict Theory. After all, the central idea around which the theory is based includes a context in which "Norms and values are not equally distributed or accepted among members of society," and that "norms and values are not randomly distributed" (Hamlin). Of course, one of the most common examples of this state in American Society is the "Black vs. White" conflict characterized by the Los Angeles "race riots" of 1992.

One has but to consider William Bonger's (1930-1940) interpretation of the theory that Crime is social in origin and is marked by issues of "control and punishment" (Keel, 2003). Further, it is a product of the uneven distribution of resources -- a conflict between the "have and the have nots." Of course, certainly a key factor that came into view during the LA Riots was that there was a definite existence of a conflict between the "have nots," (the young black rioters who, galvanized by the Rodney King verdict (a symbolic representation of the main "conflict issue"), and the "haves" of White society. However, another factor of the theory is also involved, namely that the "law serves the haves" (Keel), and that the definition of "crime," in American society is that (with regard to Black society) it is "equated with harm or thereat of harm to the powerful"(Keel) -- and that "control and punishment" is an issue of social inequality between the two groups.

Of course, the strongest indication of the relationship of the Riots to Conflict Theory is sheer numbers of those arrested in its midst, for in the aftermath, it was concluded that 12,000 rioters were arrested (USC, 2000). Not only does this indicate a definite separation of the incident from simple ideas of "random crime," but it indicates a real existence of the division between the two societies based on official power. Further, the very catalyst of the Riots, namely the verdict surrounding the Rodney King case, seems to indicate a parallel to the Conflict Theory idea that "creating and applying laws towards groups of near equal power could more the relationship closer to revolution or political takeover" (Keel). That is, in a case in which the disenfranchised group fully expected an equal and fair application of the law, the actual balance of power was established on the behalf of the White "authority." However, because the oppressed group had been, at least on some level, led to believe that the "law" would perhaps be equally applied to their society, yet ultimately was not, they felt galvanized to riot -- a form of revolutionary activity.

Interestingly, the very way in which the popular perception of the Riots between "mainstream" White society and Black society differed at the time (and, some would say continues to differ today) also illustrates the existence of a power imbalance between the two groups as defined by Conflict Theory. Not only did mainstream media focus mainly on issues of physical and financial damage perpetrated by the "hooligan" Blacks, but there was a definite existence of a different collective perception of the Riots as a legitimate outpouring of a feeling of injustice in the collective imagination of Black society as a whole.