This chapter deals with fundamental considerations on conflict theory. The significance and benefits of theoretical perspectives in general and on social conflicts in particular are discussed, with theory being regarded as a necessary abstraction in this, formed by means of induction, deduction, abduction. Furthermore, we explain our selection of the ‘classical’ conflict theories we deal with more thoroughly, while also taking into account how influential theorists, whom we only touch upon marginally in the book, such as Karl Marx, Georg Simmel, Emile Durkheim or Max Weber, have approached the topic of ‘social conflicts’ in different ways, for example from a micro-, meso- or macro-social perspective or with reference to social conflicts’ functionality for society.