CONFLICT PERSPECTIVES
Sociologyindex, Sociology Books 2009,
Sociological perspectives that focus on the inherent divisions of societies with social inequality and the way these social divisions give rise to different and competing interests.
The central assumption is that social structures and cultural ideas tend to reflect the interests only of some members of society rather than society as a whole.
This contrasts with consensus or functionalist perspectives which assume a foundation of common interest among all members of society. Marxism and feminism are examples of conflict perspectives.
BOOKS ON CONFLICT PERSPECTIVES:
Social
Problems: A Critical Power-Conflict Perspective
by Joe R. Feagin, Clairece Booher Feagin
Examines the roots of major societal troubles in the patterns of class, racial, and gender
stratification and subordination. By exploring major social problems through a conflict
theory perspective, this book helps the reader think critically about the characteristics,
impact, and roots of major social problems such as unemployment, poverty, economic
decline, racism, sexism, environmental pollution, and nuclear power.
Four
Sociological Traditions
by Randall Collins
This text presents a concise intellectual history of sociology organized around the
development of four classic schools of thought: the conflict tradition of Marx and Weber,
the ritual solidarity of Durkheim, the microinteractionist tradition of Mead, Blumer, and
Garfinkel, and--new to this edition--the utilitarian/rational choice tradition. Collins,
one of the liveliest and most exciting writers in sociology today, traces the intellectual
highlights of these four main schools from classical theories to current developments,
introducing the roots of sociology and indicating the areas where progress has been made
in our understanding, the areas where controversy still exists, and the direction in which
sociology is headed.
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Sociological
Readings in the Conflict Perspective
by William J. Chambliss
Professions
and Disciplines: Functional and Conflict Perspectives
by Daniel W. Rossides
This unique book provides a comprehensive evaluation that asks if our professions perform
social functions and solve widespread social problems or merely the problems of upper-
level individuals and groups? The book presents the effect of corporate world-market
capitalism on professions reflected in the corporate squeeze on doctors, for example. It
demonstrates the fallacies of professional claims of objectivity, unique knowledge bases,
value-neutrality, altruism, and nonpartisanship. It demonstrates that professions are
integral components of the American class system and highlights the stratification within
professions and their reliance on subordinate and exploited labor. It shows the widespread
and persistent racial, ethnic, and gender stratification in all professions along with
recent studies showing that similarly qualified minorities are not rewarded equally. The
book also includes full chapters on the policy professions; professional deviance; and the
depiction of professions in the mass media. An essential reference book for any reader who
wishes a greater understanding of the problems of class in the United States.
The
Study of Social Problems: Seven Perspectives
by Earl Rubington (Editor), Martin S. Weinberg (Editor)
This critically acclaimed volume delineates seven sociological perspectives used to
examine social problems--social pathology, social disorganization, value conflict, deviant
behavior, labeling, the critical perspective, and social constructionism. Unlike most
introductory texts, which are organized topically around issues such as drug abuse, racial
violence, and juvenile delinquency, this anthology focuses on the major theoretical
perspectives used to examine social problems. Each section begins with an overview of the
main contributors to the perspective, its history, and an outline of its major
characteristics, and closes with a critique of the perspective and questions for
discussion. For this edition, the editors have significantly updated the text, the
readings, and the annotated references. New selections cover such topics as the decline of
a Black community, white-collar crime, the devaluation of women, the universalization of
social problems, how to successfully construct a social problem, and child sexual abuse.
Long a standard in its field, The Study of Social Problems, 6/e, is an indispensable
volume for building a strong theoretical foundation in courses on social problems.
Power Conflict Perspective