Value Conflict
Sociology as the study of society and humanity cannot avoid a focus on values; this is because humanity and the society cannot avoid making value judgments. For sociology to be objective, it would have to be independent of factors such as color, race, creed, occupation, religion, nationality, political predispositions and moral preferences. It is an impossible task; thus, the making of value judgments always leads to value conflicts. For sociology to be free of values, it must be able to distinguish social facts from values; being the study of human nature, it cannot achieve this. Sociologists view the world from a value laden perspective (Livesey, 6).
Several values remain in conflict with one another. For example, American values of conformity, right to dissent and respect for authority conflict. The desire to conform to some social norms may be contradictory to the provisions of the authority. Complex societies are often characterized by more than one value system. The systems may agree, overlap or even oppose one another. For example, in a country where religion, personal gratification, and accumulation of wealth among others, are supported, there is bound to be a conflict between the values. The conflicting value systems are pervasive; this makesthe pursuit of one impossible without the violation of another. Every society exhibits a uniqueness in the extent of the consistency of their value systems. The internal consistency of values in the society vary; many societies thus embrace several and deep value conflicts.
The conflict of values can be understood through an analysis of the conflict theory. According to Crossman (1), the theory focuses on the role of cohesion and power in establishing social order. The Marxist perspective views the society as a composite of groups, each competing for economic and social resources. Social order can only be maintained by domination; this means that the group with the greatest political, social and economic resources gains power (Dunn, 1).Every group has values they stand for; however, the domination of one group imposes its values on the other groups. Despite the differences in their values, the groups remain bound through cohesion by those in power.
Legal equality and social inequality are concepts that often conflict. In order to come up with ways of coping with the contradictions of the two concepts, an analysis of both must occur. Legal equality advocates for the existence of various groups in the society under the same laws and rule. Power is bestowed to a particular group to ensure equal existence within the society; this is, however, not the case in most societies.
Once the ruling group acquires power, it uses it for its own benefit through social control.They gain a position of advantage over the other groups. According to the conflict theory, a state of inequality emerges because those owning the largest share of resources defend their advantage at the expense of others (Dunn, 1). The exercising of power by those with most resources results in social inequality and power struggles. Factors such as race, class and gender further fuel the struggles within the society.
The conflicted, negative, and ever-changing aspect of society presents a concern on how to cope with or prevent social inequality. It depicts the major cause of social rifts in the society as economic. Social conflict results in social inequality through factors such as; gender, race, political, religious, economic and other factors. The unequal groups thus develop values and agendas that also conflict; this leads to the development of a competitive spirit between the groups.
A comprehensive understanding of the conflict theory presents an avenue for the realization of solutions to social inequality; this helps in the establishment of both legal and social equality. First and foremost, there should be regulations established by all groups within the society; governing the leadership of the society. They should contribute towards a unified guide on how those in power should carry out their assigned duties. As stated earlier, social inequality arises from the group in power’s desire to benefit only itself, at the expense of others. The establishment of legal constraints will regulate and ensure leadership decisions are beneficial to all groups within the society (Dunn, 1).
Social resources should also be used in providing equal benefits to the society members. For example, social institutions such as hospitals and schools should be made accessible to all society members. The establishment of social equality must overlook factors such as; race, social status, class and economic ability. The inaccessibility of quality social services undermines the rights and needs of those who cannot afford the services. For example, the construction of expensive schools using the society’s resources only makes them inaccessible to children from poor families.
Last but not least, the formation of laws and rules governing the society should involve members of every group. As discussed earlier, every group has its values. Their involvement in the lawmaking process will ensure the consideration and incorporation of their values in the legal system governing the entire society. It reduces social inequality by providing for the needs of every group within the society.
Legal equality and social inequality continue being contradictory factors in many societies today. However, unified efforts work towards the elimination of inequality. It considers the values of every group within the society and caters for them through legal, social, economic and political provisions.
Works Cited
Crossman, Ashley. ‘Conflict Theory: an overview.’ (2014). Web. Available from: < http://www.sociology.about.com/od/Sociological-Theory/Conflict-Theory.htm> [Accessed April 18, 2014]
Dunn, Ruth. ‘The Three Sociological Paradigms/ Perspectives.’ (2014). Web. Available from: < http://www.cnx.org/content/m33962/latest> [Accessed April 18, 2014]
Livesey, Chris. ‘Social Inequality Theories: Weber.’ A-Level Sociology Teaching Notes. (2014) Web. Available from: <http://www.sociology.org.uk/siweber.pdf> [Accessed April 18, 2014]
