The Milagro Beanfield War chronicles how local, traditional cultures
             that are deemed incompatible with modernization. This is seen in the
             tensions between Chicano communities in Milagro, New Mexico and the land
             development corporation that wants to turn the community into a resort
             community and golf course. When Joe Mondragon irrigates his makeshift
             beanfield with water diverted from a stream that "belongs" to developer
             Ladd Devine, the farmer/handyman becomes a catalyst that brings these
             The conflict theorists offer a good framework for a sociological
             analysis of the events depicted in The Milagro Beanfield War. The
             conflict perspective sees society as being composed of different groups
             with contradictory interests. Conflict theorists are critical of
             functionalists, who believe that these disparate interests can be resolved
             amicably. Instead, theorists like Karl Marx have argued that ruling class
             interests will come to dominate over the needs of others. Members of the
             ruling class would use all the means at their disposal in order to assure
             their interests are served, including money, political connections and
             other social institutions. This is true, even when these interests are
             detrimental to other segments of society.
             In the case of The Milagro Beanfield War, the ruling class interests
             are represented by Ladd and his cadre of developers. Rounding out the cast
             of ruling class interests are Ladd's ditzy wife Flossie, state police
             officer and hired gun Montana and even the incompetent state governor.
             Because of his wealth and political connections, Ladd has Montana at his
             disposal to keep Milagro residents in line. At various times throughout
             the film, even the Milagro town mayor and the town sheriff seem to be in
             Devine's pocket, afraid or reluctant to help their own constituents.
             The conflict perspective believes that it would be useless for
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