To ascertain the nature of the debate, 14 theories that can be classified as either consensus or conflict theories were selected and examined. The assumption and assertions each theory makes about consensus and conflict (their 'content') were analyzed, as was the structure in which those assumptions and assertions are woven into a coherent argument (their 'form'). From the descriptions of the specific form and content of each of the theories, the general form and content of consensus and conflict theories were delineated, and the relationship between the two types of theories was examined. The conclusion of the analysis is that the general form of each theory is substantially determined by the content of the assumptions it makes about human nature and contemporary societies. The theories differ primarily in the assessments they make about the legitimacy of societies that existed at the time the theories were written, along with the conflicts within those societies. The differences between consensus and conflict theories imply that the validity of the theories cannot be tested empirically. The choice between the theories must therefore be based on value preferences. A total of 134 footnotes are listed. (Author summary modified)