His ideas of economics, change and conflict had a fundamental influence on the development of the conflict theoretical orientation. There are three major theoretical orientations or perspectives in sociology. Functionalism and conflict perspectives are macro level sociology, while the intereactionist perspective is sociology on the micro level. As in the parable of the elephant and the blind men, having more than one perspective is to offer more than one way of looking at the same subject matter. So sociologists won't all fall into the same errors in investigation, they have the opportunity and obligation of studying human behavior from more than one set of presumptions.
Functionalist perspective assumes that there is logic and order to society.
This perspective concludes that the elements of a culture are selected and generally compatible with each other. The conflict theoretical orientation is best understood in terms of conflict or tension between competing groups. Expanding on Marx's work, conflict theorists examine how change occurs through the conflict of opposing groups. This group interacts or sometimes collides with those who want to see the present situation change so they can access some of the benefits presently held by the first group. The conflict orientation can provide useful insights into the constituencies and process of change.