This note is a part of my Zettelkasten. What is below might not be complete or accurate. It
is also likely to change often.
Structural Conflict theory argues that society has a lot of unequality and that the behaviour of people is constrained by the advantages or privileges they possess (or dont possess) by nature of their position in these structures of inequality.
The stuctural conflict theory states that the origin and persistance of inequality in society is because of the domination of the disadvantaged groups by the privileged ones; and the socialization of these unequal structures into Social Norms, cultural rules and values. The outcome might be a consensus but one where the best interests of different groups of people is in conflict. This process sometimes involves naked force or coercion to begin with but need not take such measures to maintain. There are two ways in which these structures commonly survive - either if the disadvantaged groups are prevented from seeing their situation as bad or if they are convinced that this structure is somehow rightful and just (using Religion for example).