8 superstructure is the kind of state, the laws, and the politics, that exist to claim the
power of the social class. In other words, the superstructures important function is to claim that the power of the bourgeoisie is over the proletariat. The base and
superstructure form society and in a society class, they act to keep the ruling class in power. However, the ruling class in power provokes class conflict to exist.
Marx emphasizes class conflict as the dynamics of social change. Karl Marx explains that change is not random, but the result of a conflict of interests.
One of the Marxism followers, Gramsci, denotes the term struggle as a part of social classes. Gramsci uses the term hegemony to denote the
predominance of one social class over others Donaldson, 2008. In social classes, people will struggle to change their social class status. As Williams 1977 states,
“in a class society, all beliefs are founded on class position, and the systems of belief of all classes . . . are then in part or wholly false” p. 55. Therefore, social
classes provoke social struggles to exist. Social struggles are provoked to exist because people from different social classes will struggle to make their social
class become higher. Behind every social struggle, there will be social action. Simmel 1950 believes social action always involves harmony and conflict, love
and hatred p. 74. Thus, social action is the fundamental base of the existence of social struggles.
2. Power and Powerless Theory
Theory of power and powerless is a part of Marxism. Karl Marx states that there are two classes in society, namely, bourgeoisie and proletariat. Between
9 those two classes, there will always be a competition and conflict. Before the
writer goes further to the discussion of the theory of power and powerless, the writer would like to explain what is meant by conflict. Coser defines
conflict as “a struggle over values and claims to scarce status, power and resources in which the
aims of the opponents are to neutralize, injure, or eliminate their rivals ” as cited
in Billings, 1976, p. 533. A conflict occurs because an economically powerful part of society
Bourgeoisie and an economically powerless part of society Proletariat have different objective interests, while competition puts society easily falls until the
dominant group gains control and stability through power. Moreover, competition and conflict will always become a part of social life that cannot be avoided. From
here, the writer would like to discuss the theory of power according to some experts who are still related to Marxism approach. Karl Marx believes that
economics have the great effect on the existence of power distinction in society. One of the experts, Max Weber, agrees with Karl Marx. Furthermore, Weber
1968 defines power as “the ability to impose one’s will on another, even when
the other objects” p. 72. Furthermore, according to Mills, there are three types of power:
1. Authority: power justified by the beliefs of the voluntarily obedient.
2. Manipulation: power wielded unknown to the powerless.
3. Coercion: the “final” form of power, where the powerless are forced to
obey the powerful. as cited in Elwell, 2002..
10 Coercion is a type of power that always exists in the conflict between
bourgeoisie and proletariat society. Bourgeoisie society wants proletariat to obey them. Not only have to show their power, but bourgeoisie also wants something
from proletariat society. Collins 1974 believes there are certain things that every group wants to pursue. Those are wealth, power, and prestige. Furthermore,
Collins 1974 concludes “coercion and the ability to “force” others to behave a
certain way are the primary basis of conflict” p. 56.
B. Theoretical Framework
