Marx and Conflict Marx and Conflict Theory Theory 1/271/27

The basic model of structureThe basic model of structure

The basic model of dynamicsThe basic model of dynamics

AlienationAlienation

Current presidents of the ASACurrent presidents of the ASA

FreedomFreedom

Exercise #1Exercise #1

I sent everyone an email that passes I sent everyone an email that passes on some changes in access to the on some changes in access to the Annual review of sociologyAnnual review of sociology• Mistitled Exercise #2 rather than #1Mistitled Exercise #2 rather than #1

Sometime this week, find and write Sometime this week, find and write up at least one review article from up at least one review article from the Annual Review dealing with your the Annual Review dealing with your topic.topic.

Problems?Problems?

The Structure of ch. 1-5 of The Structure of ch. 1-5 of One One WorldWorld

Chapters 1-5 deal with Marx, Durkheim Chapters 1-5 deal with Marx, Durkheim and Weber, the three classical and Weber, the three classical theorists.theorists.

They are the basis of virtually all They are the basis of virtually all sociological theory.sociological theory.

Each chapter is divided into three Each chapter is divided into three parts: the theorist’s view of social parts: the theorist’s view of social structure; social dynamic; and social structure; social dynamic; and social problems (turbulence).problems (turbulence).

““Coherence:” social structureCoherence:” social structure They had different views of social structure.They had different views of social structure. For Marx, society is essentially a structure of For Marx, society is essentially a structure of

inequality.inequality. Who gets what and why.Who gets what and why. Thus there are different structures and Thus there are different structures and

ideologies in preliterate, bureaucratic theocratic ideologies in preliterate, bureaucratic theocratic (Egypt, China), slaveholding (Greece, Rome), (Egypt, China), slaveholding (Greece, Rome), feudal (medieval) and capitalist societies.feudal (medieval) and capitalist societies.

And so the structures and dynamics of gender, And so the structures and dynamics of gender, health, education, politics, race, etc. are health, education, politics, race, etc. are different.different.

Class in General Social SurveyClass in General Social Survey A simplistic conflict theory is that: Social A simplistic conflict theory is that: Social

class affects almost everythingclass affects almost everything• IncomeIncome• Respondent’s incomeRespondent’s income• Occupation. Occupation. • Occupational prestigeOccupational prestige• Income @16Income @16• ““CLASS?” (Subjective class identification)CLASS?” (Subjective class identification)

But many other variables such as race, have But many other variables such as race, have a high class loading.a high class loading.

Empirically test the effects of class.Empirically test the effects of class.

Conflict dynamicsConflict dynamics

Marx approached structure dynamically: the Marx approached structure dynamically: the rules of the game produce increased inequality, rules of the game produce increased inequality, and the rules are contested.and the rules are contested.

Capitalism is like a game of monopoly in which Capitalism is like a game of monopoly in which those with resources get more.those with resources get more.

The resources are not only property but political The resources are not only property but political influence, social status and ideological influence, social status and ideological dominance.dominance.

The Manifesto called in the 19th c. forThe Manifesto called in the 19th c. for policies policies to reduce that concentration such as a to reduce that concentration such as a progressive income tax and free public ed.progressive income tax and free public ed.

Freedom under capitalismFreedom under capitalism Marx, like the other classic theorists, Marx, like the other classic theorists,

welcomed the disappearance of welcomed the disappearance of aristocratic, monarchical society with aristocratic, monarchical society with established state religions, etc.established state religions, etc.

He saw capitalism as progressive,He saw capitalism as progressive,• (“The bourgeoisie, historically, has played a most (“The bourgeoisie, historically, has played a most

revolutionary part.”revolutionary part.”• ““All that is solid melts into air.”All that is solid melts into air.”• ““The cheap prices of its commodities are the heavy The cheap prices of its commodities are the heavy

artillery with which it batters down all Chinese walls.”)artillery with which it batters down all Chinese walls.”) but he also believed that the revolutions but he also believed that the revolutions

such as the French and American had such as the French and American had stopped half way, and had to be carried stopped half way, and had to be carried through the abolition of slavery, classes, through the abolition of slavery, classes, and coercive states.and coercive states.

The puzzle of “dialectic”The puzzle of “dialectic” Each of the classic theories also posed a Each of the classic theories also posed a

methodological issue.methodological issue. The central issue for conflict theory has The central issue for conflict theory has

been the discontinuous development of been the discontinuous development of “contradictions.”“contradictions.”

Different Marxists developed very different Different Marxists developed very different kinds of “dialectic” and non-Marxists kinds of “dialectic” and non-Marxists developed still others.developed still others.

However, it is evident that any positive However, it is evident that any positive feedback system of this kind will tend to feedback system of this kind will tend to develop discontinuously.develop discontinuously.

The dynamic of monopoly:The dynamic of monopoly:

The dynamic of such positive The dynamic of such positive feedbacks is polarizing and feedbacks is polarizing and discontinuous. E.g. Monopoly:discontinuous. E.g. Monopoly:

but besides rents there is health, but besides rents there is health, education, status, power, etc.education, status, power, etc.

properties Rents (i.e. $ to buy and improve properties)

+

+

resources Access to more resources

The Marxian view of social The Marxian view of social dynamicsdynamics

Marx saw each form of inequality being Marx saw each form of inequality being replaced by a later form which was less replaced by a later form which was less oppressive.oppressive.

Most of human existence was in Most of human existence was in classless societies.classless societies.

By concentrating resources (capital, By concentrating resources (capital, land, power, communications) class land, power, communications) class societies make progress possible.societies make progress possible.

By creating vested interests in By creating vested interests in oppression, they block the progress they oppression, they block the progress they make possible.make possible.

Changing the rules of MonopolyChanging the rules of Monopoly

Think of 5 ways that the rules of Think of 5 ways that the rules of Monopoly could be changed to slow Monopoly could be changed to slow down the process of polarization.down the process of polarization.

What are the real world equivalents?What are the real world equivalents? They have been the main focus of They have been the main focus of

social and political struggle through social and political struggle through the 20the 20thth c. and probably will be c. and probably will be through the 21through the 21stst..

The genesis of social problems – The genesis of social problems – turbulent dynamics and alienationturbulent dynamics and alienation

Each of the classical theorists Each of the classical theorists generated a dynamic of social generated a dynamic of social problems and indeterminate problems and indeterminate turbulence.turbulence.

For Marx, this is the mutual For Marx, this is the mutual reinforcement of various kinds of reinforcement of various kinds of alienation,alienation,

but those in turn are contested by but those in turn are contested by those who are alienated.those who are alienated.

To him who hath, shall be given: To him who hath, shall be given: the example of educationthe example of education

The US has a strong commitment to equal The US has a strong commitment to equal educational opportunity in the abstract.educational opportunity in the abstract.

But in Philadelphia, no one thinks that equal But in Philadelphia, no one thinks that equal educational opportunity really exists.educational opportunity really exists.

By looking at the General Social Survey, one By looking at the General Social Survey, one can see to what degree educational success is can see to what degree educational success is a function of family background.a function of family background.

Similar issues appear in health, law, or raceSimilar issues appear in health, law, or race

The rich get richer and the The rich get richer and the poor get prisonpoor get prison

Depending whether one has a good Depending whether one has a good lawyer, different people who commit the lawyer, different people who commit the same act will be treated differently.same act will be treated differently.

Depending whether it is crime in the Depending whether it is crime in the streets or crime in the suites, acts may be streets or crime in the suites, acts may be criminalized to different degrees.criminalized to different degrees.

Structures of race, status, and social Structures of race, status, and social influence accentuate this.influence accentuate this.

The criminal justice system sometimes The criminal justice system sometimes further disorganizes and victimized a poor further disorganizes and victimized a poor community.community.

Conflict theory in contemporary Conflict theory in contemporary sociology:sociology:

The last three presidents of the American The last three presidents of the American Sociological Association Sociological Association

Are all conflict theorists.Are all conflict theorists. They differ from each other. They differ from each other. But they illustrate contemporary conflict But they illustrate contemporary conflict

theory:theory:

1.1. Joe Feagin: past presidentJoe Feagin: past president

2.2. Douglas Massey: current presidentDouglas Massey: current president

3.3. Barbara Reskin: incoming presidentBarbara Reskin: incoming president

The best and worst of timesThe best and worst of times Feagin began his 2000 Feagin began his 2000

ASA Presidential addressASA Presidential address by saying that the by saying that the last 30 years have been the best of times for last 30 years have been the best of times for those at the top and the worst of times for those at the top and the worst of times for those below.those below.

Enormous increases in inequality in US and in Enormous increases in inequality in US and in the world as a whole.the world as a whole.

Mansionization and homelessness are the flip Mansionization and homelessness are the flip side of a single coin.side of a single coin.

A spaceship with our inequality of housing, A spaceship with our inequality of housing, education, health care or power would fail. education, health care or power would fail.

Residential SegregationResidential Segregation

Massey’s Massey’s American ApartheidAmerican Apartheid argues argues that the structure of residential that the structure of residential segregation segregation • Is imposed on the black population.Is imposed on the black population.• Is a system of exploitation like that of Is a system of exploitation like that of

South AfricaSouth Africa• Creates fundamentally different life Creates fundamentally different life

chances.chances.• And reinforces all other racial And reinforces all other racial

inequalities.inequalities.

Affirmative ActionAffirmative Action

Realities of Affirmative Action in EmploymentRealities of Affirmative Action in Employment was published by the ASAwas published by the ASA

Argues that opposition to affirmative action is Argues that opposition to affirmative action is based on a series of myths.based on a series of myths.

The playing filed is not yet level for blacks The playing filed is not yet level for blacks and for womenand for women

The main problem is croyism.The main problem is croyism. Affirmative action policies level the playing Affirmative action policies level the playing

field for merit somewhat, and abolishing field for merit somewhat, and abolishing them will make it more unequal again.them will make it more unequal again.

The General Social SurveyThe General Social Survey

Becoming familiar with the GSS Becoming familiar with the GSS items is time consuming, and survey items is time consuming, and survey evidence cannot address all evidence cannot address all questions.questions.

But a large fraction of current But a large fraction of current research uses the GSS.research uses the GSS.

If your question is appropriately If your question is appropriately generalized, at least part of it can be generalized, at least part of it can be addressed using the GSSaddressed using the GSS

The GSS annotated indexThe GSS annotated index One of the reasons it is useful is that One of the reasons it is useful is that

the fact that it is used for so much the fact that it is used for so much research means that you can go to the research means that you can go to the Michigan web siteMichigan web site to find annotated to find annotated articles using any GSS variable. (Go to articles using any GSS variable. (Go to mnemonic and then links.)mnemonic and then links.)

Therefore, a GSS operationalization of Therefore, a GSS operationalization of something to be explained will something to be explained will immediately generate a stream of immediately generate a stream of current research.current research.

A crosstabulation (review)A crosstabulation (review)

Usually you will test the hypothesis of a Usually you will test the hypothesis of a causal relation by running a causal relation by running a crosstabulation.crosstabulation.

Take your independent variable as the Take your independent variable as the row variable, calculate row percentages, row variable, calculate row percentages, and see what is the difference between and see what is the difference between them.them.

Check whether the differences are Check whether the differences are statistically significant, though that is a statistically significant, though that is a minor issue in this course.minor issue in this course.

FreedomFreedom (review) (review) The current war raises questions what are The current war raises questions what are

American conceptions of freedom, and why?American conceptions of freedom, and why? Patterson’s Patterson’s FreedomFreedom vol. I and II argues that vol. I and II argues that

Freedom is the central value of the West;Freedom is the central value of the West; it is valued mainly by those who do not have it it is valued mainly by those who do not have it

(slaves, women, subordinate populations);(slaves, women, subordinate populations); and it consists of three components.and it consists of three components. We took the battery of freedom questions he We took the battery of freedom questions he

included in the last General Social Survey.included in the last General Social Survey.

Some Race effects on HOW FREE?Some Race effects on HOW FREE?

RACE by HOW FREE?

GREAT DEAL SOME LOW/NONE MissingWHITE 790 279 36 1133

71.5% 25.2% 3.3% 100.0%BLACK 135 69 14 214 218

61.9% 31.7% 6.4% 100.0%Missing 53 16 3 75 147

TOTAL 925 348 0 1422

69.9% 26.3% 3.8%

Some gender effects on HOW FREE?Some gender effects on HOW FREE?

SEX by HOW FREE?

GREAT DEAL SOME LOW/NONE Missing TOTALMALE 397 188 31 613 616

64.4% 30.5% 5.0% 100.0%FEMALE581 176 22 809 779

74.6% 22.6% 2.8% 100.0%TOTAL 978 364 3 1422 1395

70.1% 26.1% 3.8%

Some class effects on HOW FREE?Some class effects on HOW FREE?

INCOME by HOW FREE?

GREAT DEAL SOME LOW/NONE Missing TOTALLOW 217 112 23 340 352

61.6% 31.8% 6.5% 100.0%MIDDLE317 130 15 461 462

68.6% 28.1% 3.2% 100.0%HIGH 318 80 5 438 403

78.9% 19.9% 1.2% 100.0%Missing126 42 10 183 361

TOTAL 852 322 43 1422 1217

70.0% 26.5% 3.5%

WLTH POV Fundamental issues WLTH POV Fundamental issues of freedom in 20th + 21st cof freedom in 20th + 21st c

Many people believe that the right of some to Many people believe that the right of some to make as much money as they please, even if make as much money as they please, even if others are in great poverty, is what freedom is others are in great poverty, is what freedom is all about.all about.

While others believe that the coexistence of While others believe that the coexistence of wealth and poverty are in complete wealth and poverty are in complete contradiction to freedom.contradiction to freedom.

This is sometimes called the issue of social or This is sometimes called the issue of social or economic democracy.economic democracy.

Patterson’s theory: those who lack it value it.Patterson’s theory: those who lack it value it.

Race Race WLTH POV WLTH POV

Agree Neither Disagree

WHITE 45743%

19818%

42039%

BLACK 5023%

3918%

12859%

Total39% 18% 42%

GENDER GENDER WLTH POV WLTH POV

Agree Neither Disagree

MALE 27345%

10317%

22537%

FEMALE 25133%

16121%

35346%

Total38% 19% 42%

INCOME INCOME WLTH POV WLTH POV

INCOME by WLTH POV

AGREE NEITHER DISAGREE Missing TOTALLOW 103 54 184 10791 341

30.2% 15.8% 54.0% 100.0%MIDDLE168 85 199 14112 452

37.2% 18.8% 44.0% 100.0%HIGH 189 82 127 10354 398

47.5% 20.6% 31.9% 100.0%Missing 64 43 68 3603 3778

TOTAL 460 221 510 38860 1191

38.6% 18.6% 42.8%