Conflict Theory in Garage Sale - Essay Example

Application of Conflict Theory in Garage sale Conflict theory looks at the society as unstable with opposing ideas and groups. This theory could be applied in garage sale too. Garage sale is selling used personal belongings like computer, clothes, books, and others in a garage. To some people, who engage in this venture have the reason that they want to get rid of the property. However, for serious businessmen, they find this as a threat to their business resulting in conflict between them. Conflicts in garage sale may arise when they compete with the legitimate business.

Competition among groups in the society is always the cause of conflict (Hensli, 12). Most often the cause of conflict is when the garage sale is more patronized by the buyers where it may create possible closure of legitimate businesses because of scarce customers. Looking at the assumption of conflict theory, it dictates that conflict arises when there is a scarce resource (customers). When this happens, owners of the legitimate businesses would dictate the situation prohibiting individuals to engage in garage sales.

They could enforce laws because they are considered the dominant group in selling by virtue of their business permit. Being a dominant class or group means they could impose rules to protect their privilege and interest to the expense of the inferior group. However, individuals involved in such business who want to earn a living doing garage sale may repulse the idea through protesting causing tension between the two groups. Conflict theory assumes that economic factor is always the cause of conflict.

In addition, tension continuo to occur because of exploitation or manipulation of others. Reference Henslin, James. Sociology. A Down-to-Earth Approach. Allyn and Bacon publishing. 2007.