Karl Marx, the founder of conflict theory, believed that ___ is the central force in social change. political science economics religion philosophy

Karl Marx, the father of conflict theory, argued that economics is the central force in social change. He believed that the structure of society is fundamentally determined by the economic relationships or the means of production. This means that the way people produce and distribute goods shapes their relationships, cultural values, and even political systems, leading to cycles of conflict between the ruling class and the working class. In real-world application, this theory has often been used to analyze economic inequalities in various societies. For example, Marx's perspective helps explain modern issues such as labor disputes, income disparities, and class struggles. As economies shift and transform, the underlying conflicts between different socioeconomic classes can ignite social movements and drive reform, illustrating how economic dynamics can lead to significant societal shifts.