The Class conflict theory

Social strife and class conflict theory

Social strife is a constant in the society (Carter, 2014). Because there are few resources in the society, there is fierce competition among different social groups for those few resources that are accessible. In actuality, the bulk of societal structures and institutions are created in a way that only benefits a small number of the wealthy and powerful while ignoring and taking advantage of the majority of the underprivileged. In addition to exploring a recent article on social conflict, this essay attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of the class conflict theory.

Exposure of minority and poor Americans to environmental pollution

The topic under discussion examines how minority and poor Americans are exposed to and affected by environmental pollution. The title of the article is ‘Beyond Flint: What You Need to Know about Toxic Communities,’ by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D. (2017). The article describes human disaster in Flint, Michigan where majority-marginalized community members were poisoned by lead-polluted water in 2016. This water disaster clearly shows the level of disparity in terms of access to safe and clean water between the rich and poor citizens of Flint city (Cole, 2017). The poor and powerless who are non-whites and majority are much exposed to harmful and toxic environmental pollution than the few rich and wealth whites. Most of polluters in United States are located in areas where poor and racially discriminated communities reside (Cole, 2017). According to the article, various studies have confirmed that poor people and people who are discriminated against on color basis are most affected by toxic environmental pollution in United States.

Perpetuation of toxic environmental pollution by power inequality

The problem of toxic environmental pollution in premises of poor and powerless members of society is perpetuated by power inequality and misuse of power by individuals who possess the power (Cole, 2017). According to the article, environmental pollution relies on power equilibrium whereby the winners gain benefits whereas the losers suffer the consequences including costs and health implications. Furthermore, the article argues that in a social set up where the rich have power and the poor are powerless more environmental pollution occurs simply because the rich do not care about the harmful impact of their behavior on the poor. Economic imbalance and racial discrimination has contributed greatly to environmental pollution in U.S. (Cole, 2017). The article concludes by citing that, there is need to have strict rules of environmental pollution and need to find solutions to address wealth imbalance and racism.

Class conflict theory and social change

Class conflict theory outlines that disputes and tensions occur when there is unequal distribution of resources and power in the society (Basirico, Cashion & Eshleman, 2014). Nonetheless, the conflict theory states that these conflicts and tensions are the causes of social change. The power in conflict theory encompasses control of wealth and material resources, control of social institutions and politics and individual status in comparison with others (Basirico, Cashion & Eshleman, 2014). Conflict theory was developed by Karl Marx. Marx noted that social, economic and political impacts of capitalism in Europe created two distinct social groups (Powerful minority and oppressed majority). The powerful minority is comprised of rich and owners of means of production while the oppressed minority is made up of poor and low working class. These two social groups held diverse interests and values which in turn bred class conflict. The situation was exacerbated by unequal and unfair allocation of resources between the two social classes. According to Marx, the lower working class and poor were abused, exploited and oppressed by the wealth and rich class. Consequently, class conflict developed between the two groups. Owners of means of production (bourgeoisie) in capitalist society maintained unfair and unjust social order which compelled the proletariats (workers and poor) to remain loyal to them. In addition, the unjust social order was maintained through ideological force (Basirico, Cashion & Eshleman, 2014).

Contest for power and resources in society

Class conflict theory views social life as contest whereby the members of society compete with one another and therefore it concentrates on power, resources and injustices (Carter, 2014). The material resources are scarce and due to their scarcity each member of society struggles control the resources. Conflicts in society are inevitable due to existence of unequal social orders (Basirico, Cashion & Eshleman, 2014). The people who are in power and authority seek to maintain their status quo while the poor majorities who are oppressed and neglected seek to embrace social change. Owners of means of production develop social structures, institutions, norms and values that are aimed at oppressing and exploiting the powerless and poor (Basirico, Cashion & Eshleman, 2014). Conditions become worse when the poor working class individuals are alienated from their own labor. Class conflicts inflict untold suffering to the poor and lower working class. Contrary, the minority rich and wealth class reaps substantial benefits from consequences of class conflicts. Nevertheless, class conflicts breed political, economic and social upheavals.

The need for social change and a just social order

It is ironical and hypocritical when some few individuals take advantage to oppress and exploit others in pursuit of their own individual gains. Unanimously, all human beings irrespective of their color, race, ability and cultural backgrounds are equal before the Creator. The behavior of the rich and wealth to oppress, misuse and exploit the powerless and poor is thus unjust, sinful and unethical.

Promoting peace and stability through social change

Evidently, owing to adverse effects of class conflict there is need to have social change (Basirico, Cashion & Eshleman, 2014). The social change should be aimed at distributing material resources, power and social status equally between all social classes. Similarly, establishment of just and fair social order will be paramount in eliminating or curbing class conflict and subsequently promotion of peace and stability.

References

Basirico, L. A., Cashion, G. G., & Eshleman, J. R. (2014). Introduction to Sociology. Redding.

Cole, Lisa, N. (2017). Beyond Flint: What You Need to Know about toxic communities

Carter, B. (2014). Capitalism, Class Conflict and the New Middle Class (RLE Social Theory). Routledge.