Comparison Between Sociological Theory 2022

Running head: COMPARISON BETWEEN SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES
Comparison between sociological theories
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COMPARISON BETWEEN SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES
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Introduction
The human society is divided and categorized across many spheres depending on the
extent and kind of interaction shared among the individuals living in that society. Such
distinctions are usually human made and therefore, in order to understand the differences
existing in the community, it is important to understand the theoretical under pinning of such
distinctions (Stepnisky, 2018). Many scholars across the centuries have tried to evolve a holistic
theory which would be able to explain the perceived distinctions present in the society. One of
the most important theories which have been able to capture the real image of the society within
its theoretical under pinning is that of conflict theory (Young, 2017). Furthermore, the
sociological theory of symbolic interactionism has also been able to explain the differences that
exist in the society. The purpose of this paper is to explain the two theories and compare between
them in order to understand their views on the relationship shared between the individuals and
the broader aspect of the society itself.
Meaning of conflict theory in sociology
The conflict theory as present within the society is seen to have its origin in the writings
on Karl Marx (Woods & Hammersley, 2017). Marx developed on dialectical materialism in
order to examine the critical stance under taken in order to understand the social arrangements
present in a community. The theory on conflict is able to emphasize on the aspect of differences
in power which is observed amongst the classes of the society. In this context, the conflict theory
can be observed to be a macro-level of analysis of the community itself (Simon, 2016).
The conflict theory as posited by Karl Marx in the nineteenth century is based on the
capitalist nature of the society which had just started to gain wide spread favoritism from the

COMPARISON BETWEEN SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES
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upper echelons of the society (Wehr, 2019). Capitalism advocated that the individuals with the
resources would have the power and the authority to function within the society as per their
wishes. A level playing platform would be provided to such individuals, without any
discrimination. However, the conflict theory a states that it is this very establishment of a
capitalist society which gave rise to internal discriminations in a community (Agu, 2019). The
common masses who did not possess any means of production were left out of the capitalist field
and they had to depend on the work provided by the capitalists for earning their daily survival.
The producers exploited the workers and did not pay them their due remuneration. This led to the
poor being further pushed in to poverty.
In order to counteract this aspect, Marx advocated the proletarian revolution within the
society. He was of the idea that the common masses should revolt against the capitalists and
capture the means to production. The proletariat should try to create a stateless society whereby
the entire power of the state would be in their hands (Woods & Hammersley, 2017).
This reveals the internal conflict within the society (Stepnisky, 2018). The capitalist class
wants to create a society based on the fulfillment of their profit motives. On the other hand, the
common masses or the proletariat class wants to establish a society based on the elements of
welfarism and well-being. It is such internal contradictions which has led to the basis of the
theoretical under pinning of the conflict theory (Young, 2017).
Meaning of symbolic interaction in sociology
The theory of symbolic interaction has developed from practical considerations in the
society. It was advocated by Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead (Waskul &
Vannini, 2016). It refers to the utilization of the dialect by the individuals of a society to form