MARXISM: SOCIAL
CONFLICT AND
SOCIAL Module 4
MOST ESSENTIAL
LEARNING
COMPETENCY
Analyze social inequalities
in terms of social conflict.
OBJECTIVES:
oDefine social inequalities in
terms of social conflict.
oAnalyze the social conflict
between the bourgeoisie and the
proletariat that causes social
inequalities.
oAdvocate responsible and active
citizenship to equalize
TATSULOK-
BAMBOO
What is the message of
song?
SOCIETY is made up of
individuals from different
social classes who competes
for social, material and
economic resources like
food, housing, education,
health and employment.
According to Karl Marx, the
proponent of the Theory of Social
Conflict, society is divided into two
classes.
Social
Class
Bourgeo Proletari
isie at
• the owners of the
Bourgeoi means of production
in the society
sie • the rich class who
owns big businesses
• the workers or
Proletari laborers in the
society
at • the majority of people
who works in the
businesses owned by
MEANS OF
PRODUCTION
The instruments and
materials used to produce
goods and services.
In understanding society
using this lens, it is
noteworthy to consider that
Marx have identified
stages of time by which
development took place
from primitive
communism to a
Primitive • Hunting and
gathering
communi • Resources are
sm shared with all
members of a group
• People seek to
Capitalist obtain ownership of
society means of production
to use to increase
their wealth
For him only the first period of
primitive communism people
are free from some form of
social stratification or class.
However, the moment
people start producing
their daily needs,
increase for economic
activity follows. This
leads to the formation
of a Capitalist
society. It is run by a
capitalist class called
as the bourgeoisie.
Production from factories
became a norm during the
industrial period that made
the bourgeoisie more
interested in manufacturing
and profits. On the other hand,
pre-capitalist peasant
remained in the agricultural
form of production.
SOCIAL
CONFLICT
Social conflict arises from
inequalities produced by
ownership and control of
limited resources.
Bourgeoisie serves as the
ruling class in running the
means of production that
leads to higher profit and
income generated from the
business. With these, they
enjoy social and economic
Proleta
riat
have
income
just
enough
for their
As search for more profit
increases, bourgeoisie tends
to neglect fundamental needs
of workers such as clean and
healthy working environment.
In addition, more business
means more workforce to
exert labor resulting to
longer hours of work without
These situations may ignite
revolt among workers. This
revolt creates the so called
class antagonism. That is
why Marx believes that
class consciousness must
be done to eliminate false
consciousness.
CLASS ANTAGONISM
Class antagonism is rooted in the
situation that control over social
production necessarily entails
control over the class which produce
goods.
The exploitation of workers by the
bourgeoisie.
CLASS
CONSCIOUSNESS
refers to the person’s
awareness of his/her rank in
the society. Knowing one’s
personal rank may bring
social improvement to
overcome conflict.
SOCIAL CONFLICT
cannot be avoided in the society
because there is always competition
and differences in interest.
happens when two or more people
or group don’t agree with each
other.
SOCIAL
INEQU
ALITY
SOCIAL INEQUALITY
is the uneven social status in the
society due to unequal
opportunities.
the state of imbalanced distribution
of valued goods and resources.
caused by both social and economic
factors.
Social factors that causes
inequality involves education,
health, number of family
members, justice system and
housing.
Economic factors causing
inequalities are income, poverty,
unemployment, degree of
educational attainment and
promotion.
BASIC ARGUMENTS
OF MARX ON
SOCIAL
INEQUALITY
1. All societies are characterized
struggle between social classes.
by the
2. The existing relationship between these
classes is both dependent and conflicting.
3. The contradicting relationship of
dependency and conflict explains the basis
of social stability and social change.
MARX ARGUED THAT ECONOMIC
INFRASTRUCTURE WAS THE
MOST IMPORTANT DIVISION IN
SOCIETY FOR TWO REASONS
SUCH
1. AS: production, distribution,
It involves
and exchange of essential
requirements for living like food,
clothing, shelter and consumer goods.
2. Systems of government in which
society organizes itself to provide
these essential requirements.
Inequality can be
addressed only if the poor
will have equal
opportunities with the rich.
If this social change
happens then a UTOPIAN
SOCIETY can be achieved.
Utopian society for Marx is
the classless and perfect
WRITTEN WORKS NO.3
READ THE PARAGRAPH
CAREFULLY AND ANSWER THE
FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
READING ARTICLE NO. 1:
CLOSING THE SOCIAL
INEQUALITY GAP IN THE
PHILIPPINES
Poverty doesn’t just make it difficult for families to
survive. It can also have much wider economic impact. In the
Philippines, more than a quarter of the country’s population
of 92.3 million lives below the poverty line, economic and
social inequality is major problem. The Philippines has one of
the highest rates of income inequality in the world, and
unless action is taken the gap will continue to widen.
According to ASEAN trade Union Council, the Philippines
has the highest rate of economic and social inequality in
Southeast Asia. This problem is not limited to personal
wealth, land distribution, educational and vocational
opportunities and basic welfare programs are affected by the
growing disparities between the rich and the poorest citizens.
QUESTIONS:
[Link] are the causes of
inequalities in the Philippines?
[Link] is meant by disparity
between the rich and the poorest
citizen?
[Link] you think the rich and the poor
can be equalized? How?
READING ARTICLE NO. 2:
WINNING THE WAR ON
INEQUALITY BY LIAM LUM
The Philippines currently operates one of the most
extensive cash transfer programs in the world, the Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). This conditional cash transfer
program targets the poorest by providing cash for accomplishing
tasks related to the health and education of their children. The
program gives a leg to destitute Filipino by providing them with
supplemental income and making sure that the families make
the necessary investments in order to break away from poverty.
The 4Ps is a successful way of levelling the playing field by
making sure everyone gets the same resources for social
mobility. The program has so far helped reduce the poverty rate
among beneficiaries by 6.5 percent. The 4Ps also boost
productivity by ensuring a healthy and well-educated labor
force.
QUESTIONS:
[Link] you believe that 4Ps program
is an effective answer to
inequality in the Philippines?
Briefly explain your yes or no.
[Link] what ways do 4Ps program
solve the issue of social conflict
and inequalities?
PERFORMANCE TASK NO.3
COMPOSE A SONG OR SPOKEN POETRY
THAT SHOWS CAUSES AND EFFECT OF
SOCIAL INEQUALITY IN THE PHILIPPINES.
MINIMUM OF 3 STANZA COMPOSITION.
FIRST SECO THIRD
ND
Criteria Points
Originality 10
Use of words 20
Message 20
END OF MODULE 4