The debate between consensus theories and conflict theories Consensus theories see shared norms and values as fundamental to society focus on socialorder based on tacit agreements, and view social change as occurring in a slow and orderly fashion. In contrast, conflict theories emphasize the dominance of some social groups by others, see social order as based on manipulation and control by dominant groups, and view social change as occurring rapidly and in a disorderly fashion as subordinate groups overthrow dominant groups Representatives of the debate: Marx and Comte, Simmel and Durkheim Dahrendorf and ParsonsThe debate between “consensus theories and conflict theories • Consensus theories see shared norms and values as fundamental to society ,focus on social order based on tacit agreements, and view social change as occurring in a slow and orderly fashion. In contrast, conflict theories emphasize the dominance of some social groups by others, see social order as based on manipulation and control by dominant groups, and view social change as occurring rapidly and in a disorderly fashion as subordinate groups overthrow dominant groups. • Representatives of the debate: Marx and Comte, Simmel and Durkheim, Dahrendorf and Parsons