Conflict Theory Perspective

This part of an old online discussion I did last year in college, but one I was really proud of because of how passionate I am on the topic of Wal-Mart, and how they were a perfect example to use for this paper.  Enjoy :)

One of the main points I took from the idea of conflict perspective was to look past the obvious and observe the results of the sometimes innocent-seeming situations.  Just because we see conflict in a certain example, it doesn't mean that it belongs to conflict theory.  I think that just like the serene looking picture taken by Lewis Hine of the child workers, Wal-Mart can be seen in the same light.  When you walk into the store, you see employees who are often times smiling.  The prices are well below average retail price, and the typical customer tends to be happy about their shopping experience.  Similarly, just as the story behind the picture makes the conflict theory so clear, the story behind Wal-Mart and their low prices do the same.  It is an indisputable fact that the obvious holder of power in this situation is Wal-Mart and the top level executives within that company.  So, who are the powerless?  Well, there is a large range of defenseless victims Wal-Mart has taken advantage of, but I'll start with it's own low-tier employees.

*Before reading the next paragraphs please watch from 6:00-8:17 of this video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOSWESxpYkA&feature=channel_page   *

                This clip begins with two former employees of Wal-Mart who explain that when they started working there they were really proud of their jobs and had a lot of pride.  They were constantly told that they were understaffed and gladly worked extra hours to help out.  What they ceased to realize was that Wal-Mart was only trying to increase profit by not hiring any additional workers.  From a conflict perspective, not only are they being paid low wages for excess hours and being over-worked, but receiving such low income sends them in a continuing cycle that they cannot get out of because of the need to provide for their families and basic needs.  In turn, their children suffer; chances are that they will not do much better in life than their parents for the reason of lack of funds necessary to pave the way. 

I think that the saying "the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer" is incredibly fitting, not only for this example, but for a big part of conflict theory.   The clip continues on to show former managers and higher level employees revealing what Wal-Mart doesn't want us to know.  One of the clear goals of the company is to keep as many people part time, rather than full time in order to save money.  This again benefits the powerful, and causes major problems for those on the lower end of the social ladder. 

*The next paragraph will discuss the clip from 2:20-3:30 of this video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EyEmMht3yQ&feature=channel_page   *

This clip shows how Wal-Mart, even though they are one of the biggest and most lucrative companies in our country, cheats their employees out of health benefits and encourages them to get government aid.  It is also clearly oblivious that they don't even pay them enough to supply adequate food for their families, in which they once again refer them to the government for food stamps.  In doing these things, the powerful steps even higher on the power ladder and the weak are left to fend for themselves.  This helps to show the established point of view from conflict theorists which states that the rules of society exist to serve those who already have power.  The rules of society which can be translated as the laws have done nothing to stop Wal-Mart.  In fact, the laws actually help them by putting a burden on the middle class through using their tax dollars to support the government aid programs when it should be the responsibility of the employer to supply an adequate salary and health insurance plan.  The final result ends up benefiting only the rich and powerful, and burdening the middle and lower classes.