Question

: Opium was legal in the United States until the transcontinental railroad was completed with Chinese laborers in 1869. Then, due to anti-Chinese sentiment, white elite lawmakers made opium illegal in 1875. This is an example of which sociological theory?

Answer 1

Answer: Conflict Theory

Explanation:

Sociological theories propose reasonings as to how things in our environment are socially related.

The conflict theory was borne from the idea promoted by Karl Marx who exposed the conflict between the elite and the poor in the society. This theory shades light on the dynamic aspects of the society which is essentially negative. It promotes the believe that the elites in the society use their influence to subdue the poor and in effect, keep them under control.

This is highlighted in the example found in the above question, where the elite lawmakers used their influence to ban opium drugs, simply because of their anti - Chinese sentiments. This was after the Chinese labourers had contributed to the construction of the trans continental railroad.