Conflict vs Empowerment Theory
Conflict Theory vs. Empowerment Theory
Western Kentucky University
Conflict Theory vs. Empowerment Theory
Conflict Theory originated from the great German theologian, Karl Marx. Many of the social beliefs that support and strengthen this theory have been rooted in the ideas of Karl Marx himself. He believed that it’s not the consciousness of men that determines their existence, but their social existence which determines their stream of consciousness. With this being the motto of this theory it’s easy to see that Marx believed that the social infrastructure of each man and woman determines their very place in the society in which they live, not the other way around. This theory believes that the determinate for each individual social life is the work the individual is doing, especially work that produces the necessities of life which are food, clothing, and shelter.
Empowerment Theory has the same concept as the Conflict Theory; however, it has a completely different approach. Empowerment is a process by which individuals and groups access their resources in order to better control their own lives. In doing this, they gain the ability to achieve their highest personal potential. This theory originated from the works of Solomon and Friere. It then grew out of social reform movements over time with the assistance of Jane Adams.
The concepts of each theory have both some similarities and differences. Both Conflict and the Empowerment Theory have the concept that each individual directly affects his or her own social well being. However, both have a different outlook as to how that is done. The Conflict Theory believes that humans have always seems to look out for themselves and done all they could to survive in society. Humans work and strive for the necessities of life, and everything else just falls into play with each person individually, whereas, the Empowerment Theory looks to use the same methods amongst groups. They address oppression, stratification, and
Western Kentucky University
Conflict Theory vs. Empowerment Theory
Conflict Theory originated from the great German theologian, Karl Marx. Many of the social beliefs that support and strengthen this theory have been rooted in the ideas of Karl Marx himself. He believed that it’s not the consciousness of men that determines their existence, but their social existence which determines their stream of consciousness. With this being the motto of this theory it’s easy to see that Marx believed that the social infrastructure of each man and woman determines their very place in the society in which they live, not the other way around. This theory believes that the determinate for each individual social life is the work the individual is doing, especially work that produces the necessities of life which are food, clothing, and shelter.
Empowerment Theory has the same concept as the Conflict Theory; however, it has a completely different approach. Empowerment is a process by which individuals and groups access their resources in order to better control their own lives. In doing this, they gain the ability to achieve their highest personal potential. This theory originated from the works of Solomon and Friere. It then grew out of social reform movements over time with the assistance of Jane Adams.
The concepts of each theory have both some similarities and differences. Both Conflict and the Empowerment Theory have the concept that each individual directly affects his or her own social well being. However, both have a different outlook as to how that is done. The Conflict Theory believes that humans have always seems to look out for themselves and done all they could to survive in society. Humans work and strive for the necessities of life, and everything else just falls into play with each person individually, whereas, the Empowerment Theory looks to use the same methods amongst groups. They address oppression, stratification, and
Bibliography: Besthorn, Fred, Thomas Keefe, and Katherine Van Wormer. Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Macro Level: Groups, Communities, and Organizations. New York: Oxford University Press, USA, 2007. Print.