Paradigms
A paradigm is a system of belief or theory that serves as guide to the way we do things or, our value and beliefs (Stolley, 2005). Paradigm may range from patterns of thought to action .Paradigms are seen as perspectives that allow social scientists to have broad range of tools to describe society, and to create hypotheses and theories(Stolley ,2005). Paradigm only describes a given phenomenon they can neither occur nor happen in the society for it is just a view point. Paradigm perspectives include conflict paradigm, functional paradigm and symbolic paradigm .In this essay I am going to look at the conflict perspective and how it relates to the human society.
The conflict paradigm perspective describes the inequalities that exist in all the societies all over the world (Stolley, 2005). It is mainly interested in the existing inequalities that are founded on gender, age, sex, religion, disability or ability, race and ethnicity. Still it is concerned with lack of equality in the society. According to conflict paradigm, every society is full of inequality as a result of social differences among dominant groups and other social groups .Broader social structures and organizations in the society such as churches ,banks , government ,colleges ,etc reflect the competition for inadequate resources :some people and various organizations have more resources than others and use this resources to maintain position and power (Stolley ,2005).
Conflict Perspective and the Preservation and Restoration of Human Dignity
The conflict theory perspective of sociology has contributed largely to the preservation and restoration of human dignity in the society. For example, because of conflicts, suspicion and violence as result of what is seen as the struggle between the less powerful by the powerful in the society, there is the human rights campaign .It aims at the preserving and restoring human dignity. Human rights groups have in the leading front t in the improvement of essential human rights all over the world. They participate in the psychological healing process of these who have experience conflict. To realize this, these groups seek to reveal the truth about the past crime and reconciliation of parties involved in the conflict
Human rights also addresses the issues of discrimination based on the ones gender ,age ,sexual orientation ,ethnicity ,race among others .They designed programs aimed at addressing past injustices and other kind of injustices. It is important to note here that human rights is not just another compartmentalized aspect of the restoration and preservation of human dignity but is also actively involved in the peace building and reconstruction activities in the society.
When any element of society is described in the conflict perspective of paradigm, it is vital that we have a serious look at the structures of status, power and wealth as well as the ways in
Which these structures maintain the social economic and the coercive power of one group at the expense of all other groups. How conflict Paradigm perspective contributes is based on the Karl Marx‘s class struggle. The society is divided into two groups, according to this theory. The rich or the haves and the poor or the have nots. The rich are powerful since they control the resources while the poor are powerless because they are to live as per the whims of the rich in the society. It is a kind of macro level perspective that emphasizes that underlines the fact that there is a big competition involving the two groups. Conflict here is a social science theory that believes now and the inevitability of conflict in the society.
Conflict Theory Perspective and Human Diversity
In the face of rampant conflicts of different natures in the society, it has been a matter of interest for many people to look at the theory of conflict as given by Marxists .It is done here in relation to the role that it plays in the recognition of human diversity. It can be argued that this perspective has contributed both positively and negatively towards the recognition of diversity in the society. On the positive side, there have been measures such as human rights campaign, constitutions among others that aim at preserving and restoring then rights of individuals in the society. These is don while taking into account their diversity based on their cultural ,religious ,gender ,age ,sex ,sexual inclination and social class. On the negative side the negative side, this Marxist perspective is communist in nature. It is thus calling for equality in terms of resource management and acquisition .Because of this, Conflict perspective fails to appreciate diversity which is inherent in the society. Surely people cannot be the same for example in the level of wealth acquisition .Some work harder and gain more wealth than others.
Conflict Theory Perspective and Transformation
This perspective is very important in the society. This is so because it strives to challenge the status quo in the society by bringing social change and revolution. It is important to note that it is only as a result of the existence of conflict in the society that enables it to grow and experience some changes. Human beings lives are changed as a result of conflict. Another importance observation of this paradigm is that human beings have varied values and agendas and those they are always in competition against each other for their goals and agendas. According to this theory or perspective, the norms of the society which are supposed to hold the society together are unfair. These norms are imposed on the weak by the dominant and the powerful through artificial consensus.
Conflict theory presents us with areas of conflicts in our society. The areas here include, for example, discrimination based on gender, sex, race, social class e.t.c. It further gives us possible ways of ending these conflicts .For example improved access to education and health quality health care. In doing these, this perspective is very vital for the transformation of individuals and the society as a whole. We are also able to reach our full human potential through this transformation since we will be able to relevant skills to minimize conflicts in the society hence within ourselves as well
The Conflict Perspective Vs Various Social Groups
Conflict theory perspective plays an important role in the determination of the relationships among individuals in conflicting groups. This conflict can be based on gender, race, wealth, .Having said this, when relating to poverty, most human beings strive to be in the upward mobility so as to have better of life for not only themselves but also their families. Usually, hindrance to this realization is the limits that the upper classes place on certain aspects of the mobility ladder .This may include access to quality education, well rewarding jobs, good health care among others. Often, lower classes are less likely to be in a position to study as they have to work to earn a living for them and their families’ (Stolley, 2005) .Hence; some do not even complete their studies. This limits their access to good jobs.
Hence, the values of these homes or residential places increase, and the poor who initially lived there are forced to move to separate areas. Common sense has it, in this case, that the children of the rich will be able to obtain better schooling since their parents can afford the same. The conflict perspective suggests here that once inequality starts to emerge, like in this case, those who are at the top are not likely to push for social change. The reason behind this is that this class of people set certain standards and rules suitable for their own benefit. They don’t care about the people below them.
Basically, it is the society that sets up these social groups for failure .This is what Conflict theory states. What is realized is the keeping of the poor in constant poverty while on the other hand making the rich to maintain their richness. It is important to also look at the relationship between the conflict perspective and the issues of race and ethnicity. Fortunately or unfortunately, these are still considered as some sources of inequity in the society. It has been observed that as a result of one’s skin or origin some opportunities are denied to them. Still some opportunities in life are given to people depending on their sexual orientation (i.e. gay, bisexual, lesbians, heterosexuals etc) age
Conflict theory is applicable to many situations apart from social class. The principles of conflict theory are used in dealing with issues of age, religion, age and any other social construct where inequality is taken to be a problem .This theory sees the actions of the society as a whole as being different from the values that are expressed by the society .For example, despite the fact that the USA boasts of freedom and democracy, the irony of it is that only men had the right to vote until the year 1920.
Capitalism is identified as breeding conflict between the rich and the poor in the society. Karl Marx observed that the pursuit for wealth corrupts the society and will eventually destroy it. He further puts it that the society’s economic power should not be left to in the hands of the elite few.
According to W.E.B Du Bois, a prominent conflict theorist, social equality is impossible to achieve in corrupt social systems .He adds that past has a very grave influence on the present. For example, racial discrimination in the USA as well as the disadvantaged groups in many parts of the world.
Conclusion
Conflict perspective is important in our lives. It plays a vital role in the preservation and restoration of human dignity besides celebrating human diversity in the society. It will be a terrible omission not to appreciate the importance of conflict perspective in the transforming ourselves and the society we live in .We will ultimately realize our full human potentials through the application of this perspective in our daily lives in our society. It holds the key for success in our society.
Reference
1. Stolley, K. (2005).Basics of Sociology .New York, Greenwood.
