Sociology

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Recommended: structural functionalism strengths and weaknesses.

Conflict theory emphasizes the role of coercion and power in producing social order. Karl Marx is the main person of study when it comes to conflict theory, he say society as fragmented groups that compete for economic and social resources. In conflict theory, social order is maintained by those with the greatest political, economic and social resources. According to conflict theory, inequality exist because those in control of more resources try harder to defend what is theirs than people who have minimal resources. Religion is seen as something that is used to blind the regular working class, while the rich elite seek all of the benefits of what the world has to offer. As stated in class, the more poor groups of people like working class see religion as a opportunity of a better life after this one ends. They think that if they work hard now it will pay off in the future. This is seen by a conflict theorist as a way that the wealthy and powerful can control the other population. If a person works hard now and stay obedient to the laws then they believe they will be rewarded by going to heaven and having eternal life next to God. Most of the wealthy people believe that they can live in the moment without having to worry about any consequences about jeopardizing their eternal life. This shows that with power come more freedom through religious views. The book has a quote from Marx stating, "The sigh of the oppressed creature, the sentiment of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. it is the opiate of the people" 1964:27, orig.1848). This quote from Marx states that religion is the opiate of the people. An opiate is a drug that mellows out a person and makes them numb to everything going on around outside of them...

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... as Conflict Theory.
I tend to find myself leaning more towards the Structural Functionalist point of view with all types of conflict or situations. I like to think that most things in this world have an impact on how society goes. I like to think that the large amounts of effort I put into writing a research paper will lead me to gain knowledge and allow me to succeed in life. I do not like to think that with me writing a research paper is only limiting me from going out and spending time with my friends. I do not like to think that this is just a way for the more powerful person to continue to control me. My hope is that even though I may never know what is really going on in the world outside of me, I believe that everything I do has a specific function in society as a whole. This idea makes every little bit of effort I put into this paper completely worth it.

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