Students of sociology study the major three sociological theories of functionalism, conflict and symbolic interaction. Each theory or a combination of three are often used to explain current events and social behaviors.
Conflict sociologists are probably interested in the recent protests in Egypt and Tunisia. The people of both countries have demonstrated and rioted over high rates of unemployment, inflation, overall low living standards and political rights. Thousands of people took the streets to protest in an attempt to overthrow the government regimes in Tunisia and Egypt.
The protest in Tunisia was successful in overthrowing the President Ben Ali who has been in power since 1987 and it is yet to be determined if the people of Egypt are successful in overthrowing President Hosni Murabak who has governed since 1981.
The premise of conflict theory is that society works through constant competition and struggle over power and other important social and economic resources such as wealth and education. Those groups in power are in dominant positions to exploit and take advantage of groups with little access to power. Once the exploitation can no longer be tolerated, subordinate groups will organize to protest either peacefully or violently and if they are successful society changes and a new group emerges into power. The cycle then repeats itself. Can you see these basic ideas of the conflict theory in action as the people of Egypt and Tunisia take to the streets?
The United States is in a difficult position in that we have supported both of these regimes and yet our cultural values also support democracy for which the people are now fighting.
As with the uprising in Iran a few years ago, social media such as Twitter has had a great impact on the Egyptian people communicating their message to the world. This explains why the Egyptian government turned off the internet and cell phone communication.
Educate yourself more about these two current events:
Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Egyptian_protests and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%932011_Tunisian_uprising
Map of Egypt: http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/eg.htm
Map of Tunisia: http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/tn.htm
Video from 1/28
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we as sociology students study sociological theories of conflict,symbolic interation and functions.These are used to explain social behavior and current events.
Recently ,conflict sociologist are interested in the protest in Tunisia and Egypt.The citizens of both countrises are agitating, demonstating and rioting over bad government ,infested with greed ,and irresponsibility .unpronounced inflation ,unemploment and bad living conditions.Thousands of people rioted in the major cities to show the disapproval of the government in attempt to overthrow the regimes in Tunisia and Egypt.
The protest in Tunisia was success in oustingout President Ben Ali who has been in power since 1987.The Egyptians are still protesting against President Hosni Murabak ,who has been in power since 1981.
The reason for this conflict is that society goes through constant conflict and struggles, low standard of living,porverty,and no good education.Once the exploitaton can nolonger be endured they will protest violently or peacefully.
The united nations should look into these problems in order to uphold good values.
By: Emma Nnan on February 1, 2011
at 2:45 am