Power is a fundamental concept in conflict theory that attributes three perceptions of power. The first of these is distributive power, which refers to the use of power over and against another party; it occurs when a person is able to gain power by exerting her objective over the resistance of another (96). Here a power struggle emerges with the potential to spiral into a destructive cycle such that power itself becomes the main focus of thinking and discussion. Secondly, the integrative approach to power emphasizes power that has joined forces with another to pursue mutual objectives. This use can remedy a distributive power dilemma by recognizing that a power struggles exists when they allow it to define the relationship.
The functionalist believe that the understanding of deviance is the function for society rather than individuals themselves. Even though they believe that consensus is a function required for society. Functionalists therefore, argue that it is important for society to maintain society and the social control. However, the strain theory which is Merton's theory is based upon the theory of functionalist as they encourage anomie of deviance. Merton 1930,highlights the strains between the cultural goals of society and legitimate and regular ways to achieving the goals of success.
However determinism take an opposite view to this; hard determinism is the theory that everything in the universe, including all human actions and choices has a cause which proceeds it. So whatever we do, we could never have done otherwise, whether we feel we have a choice or not. Soft determinism, on the other hand is a view that although the main events and decisions in our lives are determined, we can choose our own path as autonomous individuals to get there. Hard determinists would agree that ethical statements are merely the result of social conditioning as they believe that everything is determined by a cause. In this case, the cause would be social conditioning – Baroch Spinoza said that although we may think that we are free, we are not, we are merely aware of our actions.
The difference between ideology and science, "false and truth’ is highlighted and therefore crucial to his usage of the term. Karl treated ideology as a fleeting actuality. Ideology is also related to the class scheme, a scheme that Marx believed to reflect the interests of the ruling class in society. Liberalism is considered the standard example of ideology because it depicts the rights exclusive to the privileged as universal rights. Ideology is a demonstration of power.
One of the important concepts in his understanding of power is the defined word ‘doxa’ which is the combination of both norms and beliefs: the This would be described as a common sense or assumed resort. Bourdieu also uses the term ‘misrecognition’ which is closely resembled to the Marxian ideas of ‘a false conscious’ but working at a level much deeper that passes any intent at conscious influences by a group or several groups. Misrecognition is more of a cultural trend than an ideological trend, mostly because it expresses a set of active social processes that way down the common sense assumptions into the reality of social life and crucially they are born in the middle of culture. All forms of power require structure and culture are in the specific grounds where the conformity is disputed and eventually imbedded between agents, thus creating social indifferences and unequal circumstances. (Such as that with disability) Habitus is utilized
Many sociologists have given alternate views about the main function of education. Functionalists argue that the main function of education is to maintain a value consensus – agreed social values – whereas Marxists argue that education transmits values that benefit the ruling class. Durkheim (1903), a functionalist, argues that society needs a sense of social solidarity because without it, social life and cooperation would be impossible as individuals would pursue their own selfish desires. The education system helps create social solidarity by transmitting society’s culture from one generation to the next so the main function of education is to maintain a value consensus in society. However, Marxists criticise this and argue that education in capitalist society only transmits the ideology of the ruling class and not the shared values of society.
Deontology is the theory that an individual does something because the individual believes it is the right thing to do. They do not look further into the action or bring the possible consequences to mind. They simply believe it is the correct thing to do and act upon it. Deontology is similar to Utilitarianism because it is again based on singular decisions of an individual. Utilitarianism and Deontology are more of a structured belief or theory while virtue theory is more flexible.
According to political realism, war is inevitable in an international system where anarchy is the rule. As power-hungry individuals lead their states in pursuit of the national interest, fulfilment of the latter can sometimes only be achieved through conflict or the use of force. Thucydides discusses war and conflict at length in his History of the Peloponnesian War and comes to the conclusion that “What made war inevitable was the growth of Athenian power and the fear which this caused in Sparta.”[9] Here he has identified one of the main reasons for war: fear. As Thucydides sees fear as one of the universal human characteristics leading to an evil human nature and thus evil human behaviour, it can be seen that, for Thucydides, war is an inevitable feature of the international system. With the Balance of Power destabilising, which, according to Thucydides, is the only means to achieve peace, the growth of power in Athens caused the Spartans to feel more and more insecure and thus they started to prepare to defend themselves.
Humankind is divided into nations each possessing a distinctive character and separate identity. This is why a higher loyalty attaches to the nation. Hegel argued that the organic society is an expression of universal wills for example Volkism where people are bound by a sense of being one. Secondly Conservative nationalism is concerned with maintaining unity, authority and social stability and an example of this is Disraeli who appealed to the national instincts of the people by appealing to the idea of one nation to prevent social disorder. Patriotism and nationalism give a sense of identity and belonging and helps maintain authority and social order.
Media often portrays Libertarians as anarchists based on their belief in limited government. This is inherently wrong, because believing in limited government is still believing in government. Libertarians don’t believe society could function without laws and regulations. Libertarians believe government should be limited to provide more control to the people. Their core desire is to help individuals regain control of their lives.