Final answer:
Conflict theorists, following the ideas of Karl Marx, believe that social change is inevitable due to the ongoing conflict over limited resources and power within social structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conflict theory posits that social change is inevitable because society is characterized by a struggle for limited resources. This struggle leads to continual social conflict, which Karl Marx, a notable sociologist and philosopher, believed to be the engine for social change. According to conflict theorists, social structures exhibit and maintain inequalities related to power dynamics, such as those based on class, gender, race, and age. These structures, including governments, education systems, and religious institutions, are influenced by those in power to maintain their dominance and the status quo. Thus, societal change is viewed not just as likely but as a necessity, driven by the conflict between competing groups and interests within society.