Essay Sample on Conflict Theory: Karl Marx's Perspective on Social Order

Introduction

The Conflict theory perspective was suggested by Karl Marx, who was an incredible economist and a social scientist. According to Karl Marx, society is always in a competitive mood due to the limited resources available. The perspective further argues that the social order of humans is maintained by continuous power struggles and domination and not by consensus or conformity as one may think (Moshiri 3). The theory also argues that the bourgeoisie would do anything to remain wealthy and powerful. They achieve this by further suppressing the powerless and the poor. The basic premise of this conflict theory is that individuals and groups of people work hard to and maximize their returns (Moshiri 12). One will find that in most cases, humans prefer getting associated with people and groups that make them feel accepted and safe. Based on this premise, one can, therefore, understand why the conflict theory perspective is used to describe various issues and matters that affect humans. Ostensibly, this essay discusses the applicability of the conflict theory as depicted in the Grey's Anatomy TV show.

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Grey's Anatomy is a famous American Medical drama TV shows that premiered in the year 2005 (Hallam 61). The plot of the TV show focuses on the daily lives of interns, attending doctors and residents as they gain experience of becoming seasoned doctors. They do this as they also try to maintain their personal relationships and lives. The series surrounds the life of Meredith Grey, a character played by Ellen Pompeo, who is a daughter to a well known general surgeon. During her time, she works hand in hand with other physicians who are also struggling with work-life balance and tight schedules. Miranda Bailey takes the responsibility of supervising the interns together with other senior physicians. Emotions and drama are imminent in the show through some of the things that Meredith has to go through. The surgical wing is under the supervision of one Addison Montgomery doubling as the manager of OB/GYN and neonatal services (Hallam 60). The love relationships between the resident doctors, interns, and physicians lead to more drama as some marry while others break up due to the tight schedules that they run. In the fourth season, Lexie Grey, who is a paternal half-sister to the main character, joins the program (Hallam 61). Her presence leads to more dram until her death in a plane crash. The fictional hospital where the TV show takes place acquires a new name - Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital -for the memory of the plane crash.

The conflict theory perspective is a sociological theory that is depicted in the tv show Grey's anatomy. As earlier mentioned, conflict theory argues about the competition emerging from limited resources. The most limited resource in the world is time (Moshiri 4). The resident doctors, interns, and physicians lack time to do their things and work. Their work takes a lot of time. They are also competing for the limited positions available at the hospital once their internship is over (Hallam 60). In the TV series, there is always competition between one intern and the other as they try to outdo each other.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the interns and resident doctors are also competing for the limited number of spouses that they have access to in the facility. Due to lack of time and tight schedules, they are forced to date each other, and this creates conflict. The perspective of holding onto power and resources is also depicted in the tv series when Lexie Grey joins the program. Her sister, Meredith, tries to maintain her relationship with her father while even outdoing her half-sister for control and emotional attachment.

Works Cited

Hallam, Julia. "Grey's Anatomy: Scalpels, sex, and stereotypes." Medical Humanities 35.1 (2009): 60-61.

Moshiri, Farrokh. "Revolutionary conflict theory from an evolutionary perspective." Routledge, 2019. Print.