what are some common criticisms of conflict theory 
one common criticism of conflict theory is that it fails to capture the way in which economic interactions can mutually benefit the different classes involved for example conflict theory describes the relationship between employers and employees as one of conflict in which the employers wish to pay as little as possible for the employees labor while the employees wish to maximize their wages in practice however employees and employers often have a harmonious relationship moreover institutions such as pension plans and stock based compensation can further blur the boundary between workers and corporations by giving workers an additional stake in the success of their employer who is credited with inventing conflict theory philosophers and sociologists have long used conflict theory to analyze societies marxist conflict theory refers to conflict theory as put forward by the 19th century political philosopher who led the development of communism as a school of thought in economics karl marx s two most famous works are the communist manifesto which he published in 1848 and das kapital published in 1867 although he lived in the 19th century marx had a substantial influence on politics and economics in the 20th century and is generally considered one of history s most influential and controversial thinkers 