Which sociological approach views society in terms of continuous power struggles?

The conflict perspective is the sociological approach that views society as a dynamic arena characterized by continuous power struggles between different groups. This perspective emphasizes that societies are not static but are instead shaped by competition over limited resources, such as wealth, power, and status. It is rooted in the idea that social structures and institutions often perpetuate inequalities and serve the interests of dominant groups, while marginalized groups resist and challenge these imbalances.

Conflict theorists, including figures like Karl Marx, argue that the economic base of a society influences its social organization and that social class is a primary source of social conflict. This approach allows sociologists to analyze how social changes occur through conflict and how various forms of inequality—such as race, class, and gender—intersect in shaping social relations.

In contrast, the other perspectives focus on different aspects of social life. Structural functionalism sees society as a complex system with interconnected parts that work together to promote stability and order, symbolic interactionism focuses on the meanings and interpretations that individuals assign to social interactions, and postmodernism questions overarching narratives and emphasizes the fragmented and constructed nature of social realities. Each of these perspectives provides valuable insights, but the conflict perspective specifically highlights the ongoing tensions and struggles for power that define social relationships.