Sociology Life Chances, Essay Example

“Life chances” are the circumstances into which a child is born. Fundamentally, the functionalists have the better argument as to the overall benefit of having diverse privilege and classes within the same country. Conflict Theory, a component of Karl Marx’s overall socialist ideals, have been proven incorrect. This is evident in the end of the Soviet Union and several other Communist regimes.

Karl Marx supports his conflict theory with his “march of history” observations of the pronounced class conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. In capitalist societies, he argues the growing socioeconomic disparities are incompatible with the growth of development. As the lower class gained power, it will eventually topple the bourgeoisie class. Two polar classes trying to sustain a unified whole was too unstable. According to the Communist Manifesto, this then leads to a revolution in which the working class will then eradicate all other classes by allocating equality systematically. In the destruction of all classes, there would no longer be conflict.

Exploitation was one of Marx’s chief complaints when addressing the issue of capitalism, or varying classes within the same nation. In general, the aforementioned employers exploiting their employees is the main premise of his discontent with the economic system.  However, Marx did not entirely denounce the non-reciprocal benefits of the employment; he actually recognized the need for young and healthy individuals to take care of old and frail individuals who cannot work themselves. Although this is seemingly contradictory because the workers would still be exploited for their work efforts without the reciprocal benefits, Marx still advocated the necessity of welfare. Other than this contradiction, Marx believed that only the workers should receive the full benefit of his own labor.