What Is Conflict Theory?

Conflict theory states that conflicts or tensions start when money or power is not shared equally between the different groups in the society. These conflicts or tensions become the trigger for social change.
The conflict theory awards society in different ways than functionalists and symbolic interactionist perspectives do. These perspectives focus on the positive aspects of society while conflict perspective focuses on the negative. Unlike functionalists who defend the situation and avoid social change, conflict theorists challenge the situation and encourage social change. Conflict theorists believe that the rich and the powerful people in society force social order on the poor and the weak. For example, conflict theorists might portray