Conflict Theory
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Conflict Theory
Race and ethnicity have been subject to social conflict theory in the history of the United States and modern times. There are three central reference points regarding sociology; the matter of race and ethnicity can be based upon. These perspectives are functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionism. Perhaps, much is needed to get a clear understanding of issues concerning discrimination, prejudice, racism, and stereotypes. Jonathan Turner’s social conflict theory is based upon the notion that society’s functionalism is entirely dependent on economic and social forces working within a given community.
To address racial and ethnic inequalities in a functionalism view, the issues must have been integral towards accomplishing significant functions to exist as long as they have. The concept brings about contradiction. In other words, how can racism and discrimination bring about or instead positively influence society? Perhaps, a functionalist will base his argument considering “functions” and “dysfunctions” emerging from racial inequalities. Turner’s theory of conflict justifies racial disparities based on the fact that white people than other minority races dominate the United States. Hence, they stand higher chances of getting a competitive edge than the others. In other words, racial inequalities justify an unequal society. Think about how slave masters explained their practices concerning holding slaves; they always suggested that white people were superior to African Americans, who preferred slavery to freedom.
The functionalist perspective can also be used to address how racial inequalities can positively contribute to the societal functioning through the ostracism of out-group members. The bonds between in-group members strengthen the community based on solidarity to refuse to allow people from outside to access your territory. On the contrary, its dysfunction involves failing to capitalize on talents often displayed by the subjugated group. As such, the community has to divert from other purposes to keep hold of artificial racial boundaries created. Think about the amount of money, time, and effort towards racial discrimination in society’s day-to-day activities. The United States is no different; some racists spend a lot of time, money, and effort to make sure that their wishes are met. In the places of work, some employers may like to maintain their dignity by only discriminating against other races, but at the same time, they miss out on chances to spot talents from the subjugated group.
Conflict theories are used to express gender inequalities, ethnicity, race, education, and social classes, among others. In the United States, it is possible to examine a conflict theory perspective in an attempt to give light on existing differences between the white ruling class and other minority races. In recent history, black popularism with respect to demand for racial justice and equality has resulted in white supremacists feeling threatened. The effects are severely limiting African Americans’ political and social power. As such, African Americans are forced to go through tough times through job discrimination, low wages compared to their white counterparts. The qualifications do not seem to matter as long as you belong to a particular ethnicity or race. There have been long-lasting instances of attempted disenfranchisement and suppression of voters aiming to predominantly at African Americans.
A counter-argument of Turner’s theory may suggest that it is impossible to split the standing effects of racial inequalities in American society. People’s gender and class predetermine racial examination with regards to having both positive and negative benefits in the community. There are massive intersecting layers that discredit people’s perceptions on race issues. For instance, trying to understand prejudice based on race, there are always appealing differences that predetermine the matter’s seriousness. As such, discrimination happening to a white person would always intensify the effort to respond to the selection pressures.
The race brings about a strong sense of belonging to the symbolic interactionists. Various interactionists suggest that racial symbols often fuel acts of racism as opposed to the race itself. Racial prejudice often results from organized socialization between dominant group members. In fact, the absence of this socialization would mean no racist views among the group members. The population of the United States is growing, and so do for the dominant group. As such, these members’ interaction often leads to creating an abstract picture of the subordinate group that facilitates maintaining the status quo of the dominant group since they can support their view of the subordinate group. Such events have led to societal collapse, and that is also why African Americans are trying to liberate themselves from racial degradation. The vast majority of the Americans hold their beliefs based on what is said or instead conveyed in popular media. People can also apply the interactionist perspective based on individual perceptions of their races compared to other races. It is biologically proven that a black identity has a relatively lower amount of skin pigment than a white identity; however, what instances led to these identities distinguish themselves as black or white?
To conclude, Turner’s social conflict theory concentrates on societal patterns. In his summary of conflict theory, Turner tries to simplify and show how social interactions in a given society can conflict among competing groups. Population size and its growth rate balance the likelihood of societal collapse or even conquest by another institution. The United States has a vastly differentiated society in terms of organization, and it is indeed leading to social conflict, thus intensifying the response efforts on the subject at hand.
Reference
Theories, T. (2020). Theoretical Sociology: A Concise Introduction to Twelve Sociological Theories by Jonathan H. Turner – PDF Drive. Pdfdrive.com. Retrieved 17 October 2020, from https://www.pdfdrive.com/theoretical-sociology-a-concise-introduction-to-twelve-sociological-theories-e184653337.html.
Jermaine Byrant
Nicole Johnson
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