Final answer:
Conflict theory, developed by Karl Marx, suggests that society is split along class lines with the upper class making key decisions. It highlights the perpetual conflict between classes due to the competition for limited resources and the concentration of power and wealth in the upper class.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory that posits societies are divided along class lines and the upper class makes the important decisions is known as conflict theory. This theory was developed by Karl Marx, who argued that society is in a state of perpetual conflict due to competition for limited resources. Marx believed that this conflict was primarily between classes, with the upper class (bourgeoisie) controlling the wealth and means of production, and the lower class (proletariat) providing labor.
Conflict theorists view social structure as inherently unequal, benefiting those at the top at the expense of those at the bottom. This leads to a focus on the power dynamics and inequalities that exist in society. They argue that the class system leads to the perpetuation of inequality and that the wealthy use their position to maintain control over others, particularly those in the lower classes.
Moreover, sociologist G. William Domhoff's work Who Rules America? further emphasizes how wealth is necessary to exert influence over social and political systems, underscoring the conflict perspective on class and power dynamics.