Social Conflict and US Political Institutions

Social Conflict and US Political Institutions

Chapter 17

Social conflict (power elite) best describes the US political institution. According to conflict theory, the continual class struggle that exists in society as a result of unequal resource distribution is the primary focus of study. By highlighting the causes and consequences of the class struggle between bourgeoisie and proletariat, Karl Marx is credited with advancing this theory in the nineteenth century.

As a result of the injustices faced by populations living inside unequal class structures, there is continual conflict throughout society. Thus, there is a constant conflict between the bourgeoisie class, which dominates the economy at its highest levels, and the working class or…