conflict drives progress, peace leads to stagnation quote

Wright Mills is known as the founder of modern conflict theory. Broader social structures and organizations (e.g., religions, government, etc.) reflect the competition for resources and the inherent inequality competition entails some people and organizations have more resources (i.e., power and influence), and use those resources to maintain their positions of power in society.Ĭ. Competition, rather than consensus, is characteristic of human relationships.

Competition over scarce resources is at the heart of all social relationships. According to the conflict perspective, society is made up of individuals competing for limited resources (e.g., money, leisure, sexual partners, etc.).

Whereas functionalism understands society as a complex system striving for equilibrium, the conflict perspective views social life as competition. The conflict perspective, or conflict theory, derives from the ideas of Karl Marx, who believed society is a dynamic entity constantly undergoing change driven by class conflict.

Conflict drives progress, peace leads to stagnation quote