Theories on Conflict

Theories on Conflict installationConflicts today abound which demand explanation. Understanding the roots of contest is in occurrence true now given the rise of populism which catapulted controversial leaders a wish(p) President Donald Trump of the United States and President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, each of their own advanced riding onto the wave of either anti-immigration or anti-crime sentiment. Trump has sparked numerous protests collectible to his contentious Muslim travel toss away (Thrush, 2017) while Duterte has neted world-wide condemnation for the spate of extrajudicial killings arising from his all-out contend on drugs and sin (Al Jazeera, 2017). Each of these leaders claim to be resolving root military campaigns of encroach in their respective countries Trump, restricting immigration in order to cost the imminent security threat that the liberal immigration policies of erstwhile US administrations have posed, while Duterte, clamping down on the d rug trade which he call ups to be a top cause of under exploitation and case degeneration.The theories on involvement discussed and learned over the course of three weeks helped me frame a deeper sagaciousness as to why both Trump and Dutertes analytic thinking may be critically attacked and in what instances, they are either correct or pay heed short. A school of theories under the trunks supposition consider how the roots of vehemence are all interconnected and are products of kindly, semipolitical and economical interactions. fresh emerging theories such as the military personnel beings take possibility consider the going of basic gentlemans gentleman necessitate to be a top cause of encounter and suggest that approaching the same would eradicate employment. Lastly, assorted brotherly theories from Karl Marx to Franz Fanon abide me with lenses to be used in museing companionable suspension for these theories really enunciate what causes societal fract ures and what nominate be d unity rough it. This paper is a critical reflection of the following body of bouts theories. treatment of Conflict and rise-disposed TheoriesSystems surmiseSimply stated, the systems surmisal considers conflict to be the whole of many problematic parts of familiarity which are inextricably linked. Conflict therefore arises non repayable to individualistic or micro-level differences and contradictions save of a ecumenic system. Systems theories seek to understand conflict by tone at how several(prenominal) elements located in a well-disposed system interact with one another. Violence, according to systems theorists, should be viewed from the level of (1) individuals (2) dyads (3) subsystems (family, community, religious stems and general society). Subsystems are organized in a manner which could either march on or deter or regulate madness. Direct efforts at changing elements of the system will not prosper since the system will promptly provide a replacement for the missing element. Hence, completeing power, which is a dictatorial problem requires a coordinated and comprehensive approach. The general systems possibility is effective in uncovering relationships and interactions which contribute to strength from different levels. However, its weakness lies in the circumstance that it is a value-free theory which requires theoretical directions. geomorphological furyStructural violence, according to John Galtung, pertains to a lick of violence arising from a complaisant structure or institution which harms masses by deliberately depriving them of electrical capacity to satisfy their immediate valet de chambrekind demand. This kind of violence does not follow a physical form or image but consists of avertable impairment of fundamental human ineluctably (Galtung, 1969, p. 32). The whimsicality of structural violence impels one to look for inequalities at heart friendly structures may it be inequali ties in wealth, power, privilege, access and opportunity which breed injustice. In the same light, structural violence likewise compels one to look at the connections between what might be falsely considered as mutually exclusive worlds. In essence, the theory of structural violence as a way of addressing conflict encourages people to move on with moral outrage and critical participation where previously our reflexive chemical reaction would be passive acceptance of these inequalities. Institutionalized racism, classism and sexism are forms of structural violence which are usually considered as inherent characteristics of society. Galtung however encourages to look beyond these inequalities and to find connections in order to dismantle structures which permit these injustices. In my view, structural violence is a timely method of deconstructing conflict in todays world. For instance, the notion of viewing refugees as a potential source of conflict is a worldview tacitly accepted in worldwide policy. Acceptance of refugees is viewed to potentially clear the floodgates for terrorism, crime, and other degenerate activities that threaten national security. However, when viewed from perspective of structural violence, we can proceed to view the refugee crisis more than critically and conclude that sort of of treating refugees as potential threats, they should instead be viewed as people who be to be treated with dignity.Relative Deprivation TheoryThis theory assumes that kind conflict arises due to peoples perceptions of inequality. When people perceive that there exists a disparity from what they deserve to enjoy from what they currently enjoy, they became discontented with their situation (Walker Pettigrew, 1984). The relative deprivation theory hypothesizes that conflict arises when the gap between two groups within a particular population is too wide, the possibility of rebellion becomes more likely. The assumption is that people are bound to perceive that they enjoy trustworthy entitlements from society and when they are deprived of this while a number of other people belong to the same population enjoy the same, dissent comes into being. Relative deprivation theory focuses on value expectations which need to be met within a certain(prenominal)(p) society. Thus, when a society has a relatively high rate of economic inequality, the more likely it is that people will rebel. While the origin of the deprivation is economic, a state of poverty does not necessarily translate to violence. However, when individual expectations of poor people become transformed as a group identity, they become a political force that will not waver to use violence in order to combat their perceived discrimination. In other words, relative deprivation theory considers that violence stems from a persons conceit of his or her economic circumstances in the community. To a certain extent, an individuals inherent evaluation of his or her community status i s essential to their conduct.Theory of cooperationThe theory of cooperation proceeds from the notion that conflicts are generally characterized by cooperation and cooperation as opposer number motives. Deutsch (1949, 1985) formulated this theory in order to comprehend the conflict move better and how to come up with more effective conflict closure methods.Deutschs primary thesis is that in order to resolve conflict, it is a cay step to understand the nature of interdependence of both parties in conflict. mutualness could be negative or positive. When the goals of both parties are negatively interdependent, a partys success automatically means the others failure. Upon the other hand, when the goals of both parties are positively interdependent, one partys success is correlated with the other partys success while one partys failure is also correlated with the other party failure. In the last mentioned form of interdependence, cooperative relationships can be had in order to res train a win-win outcome for both parties to a conflict.Cooperative relationships are considered to show up several positive features such as effective communication, openness, a friendly atmosphere and blessment to mutuality. In contrast, competitive relationships bring about the opposite results such as closed communication, lack of coordinated activities, an atmosphere of apprehension and a sense of domination. Based on Deutschs research, constructive conflict colony is more linked to cooperative processes rather than competitive processes which he considered destructive.In order to foster cooperative relationships towards constructive conflict resolution, Deutsch likened it to friendly social relations. This is marked by empowering gestures and a reframing of attitudes. Thus, he recommends that both parties agree to commit to adherence to norms in the conduct of talks and negotiations. Among these norms include respect, honesty, responsiveness, forgiveness, and acknowledgment of responsibility. These values, due to their universal value and acceptance, can pose as common one thousand for both parties to stand on.Emerging Conflict Theories Human Needs TheoryAn emerging trend in conflict theory shifts the focus from the political economy to basic human unavoidably. This perspective is anchored on the fact that human beings need to acquire essentials in order to live with dignity. Human needs theorists place the cause of conflict to unmet human needs. In this light, they argue that violence happens when certain groups or individuals are deprived of basic human needs (Burton, 1979).Theorists however have disagreed on what human needs means. In Burtons (1979) view, human needs that need to be addressed in the context of conflict go beyond the basic biological or subsistence needs. Instead, unmet needs related to social conflict include identifiy, recognition, security and stupefyment. As Burtons human needs theory progressed, he highlighted how existing s tate systems have miserably failed to provide a sense of identity thereby fueling ethno-linguistic separatist movements. If certain ethnic groups are deprived of their freedom to express their own national identities within the status quo, they will tend to establish parallel subversive systems in order to achieve the same. Burton provides as concrete examples the ethnic chauvinistic struggle in Kosovo in 1989 as well as various gang subcultures. Burton opined that human need theory can help inform conflict and pave the way for better conflict resolution becauseRubenstein (2010) considers the human needs theory as providing a better explanation to social conflict compared to theories which focus only on the errors of a few artful leaders or institutions, as embodied in Samuel Huntingtons clash of civilizations theory. utter Burtons view, Rubenstein views the human needs theory to provide the study of conflict with a more objective basis which goes beyond local or heathen diff erences. The needs-based approach to pinch social conflict defies traditional notions of conflict and instead uses unsatisfied human needs as the independent variable to explain why elite dominance or cultural differences lead to conflict.However, set (2010) critiqued Burtons positivist framework of needs theory and encouraged a more critical definition of needs to mean that there are needs that do not directly bear upon material sustenance like recognition and freedom from coercion that must also not be obstructed lest there be undesirable consequences (p. 1). Park took issue with Burtons creed on the biological explanation for Needs Theory to support shield of rights and universal freedoms. Instead, she advocates for a psychoanalytic view to suggest that not needs are not universal. According to her, needs are essentially socially constructed. The needs which people pursue are socially engineered and they may until now pursue false pleasures. In sum, Park considers with cauti on the use of the blacken boxful that is human needs. The definition of human needs is not simpleton but very complex and difficult to understand.Conflict from the Lens of brotherly TheoryEqually relevant to the study of conflict is the development of social theory arising from social disruption. In Charles Lemerts (2016) book, multiple social theorists and their viewpoints on conflict are critically discussed. From the uncorrupted Great White Men theories arose utility(a) views on social relationships and social conflict which can be use to the contemporary context.Among the most notable of these social theorists include of course, Karl Marx, publicly voted as the worlds greatest philosopher (BBC News, 2015). Marx wrote Das Kapital as well as the Manifesto together with Friedrich Engels at a time of extreme economic discontent. Marx focused on his critique of political economy which obscures the internal relationships of labor and capital and discussed a pivotal feature which is the workers lunacy and estrangement. What is the most striking and palpable among these types of alienation is what fuels labor unrest that of labor commodification and the reduction of the worker to a untarnished object. Simply stated, the more a worker produces out of his labour power, the cheaper he or she becomes as a commodity. Because the worker is paid at a fixed rate, more and more profit is being gained by the capitalistic due to his work but unfortunately the worker does not earn additional wages for it. Marxist thought has gained traction especially with the crisis of global capitalism, environmental destruction, and global poverty. Until, his theory of class as the root cause of contradiction in society remains very relevant. However, many theorists unquestionable a more expansive construction of his view on social classes. Max Weber, another classical theorist, came up with an alternative approach to the study of classes. For Marx, ones class is defined and deter mined by ones ownership of the means of production. Thus, Marx considered historical class antagonisms and identified these two groups in contemporary capitalist society as the proletariat and bourgeoisie. The contradictory relationship that the classes have pushes social development forward. Weber considers social groups and classes as determined by the distribution of power. affable stratification then, occurs by overlapping means and not only through economic differentiation.Other social theorists also focus on micro-level analysis to understand conflict. Sigmund Freud uses psychoanalytic theory to understand inner conflict among human beings. Freuds treatise laid down the anatomy of the self as made up of the interaction between three components dynamically interacting the id, ego, and superego. All of these components of the self develop with socialization hence constructing the social self. Biology interacting with socialization shapes a human beings personality. When one of the three elements is allowed to dominate the other two, social problems may arise. in any case developing Marxs theory of alienation, Horkheimer and Adorno criticized the use of cultural goods in order to get off false consciousness. Cultural goods are appropriated into transforming humans as passive and patrician objects of a system which was actually oppressing them. Aside from creating a false consciousness, they also suggested that popular culture is geared at creating false needs in order to engineer human beings into consuming in a wide scale. This cultural appropriation in turn heightens humans alienation and creates doable sources of conflict.The readings also tell us that social theories do not stomach static. Even among key capitalist thinkers, there have been different approaches to address economic problems. For instance, John Maynard Keynes challenged the neoclassical economic paradigm advanced by Adam Smith and disciples which advocated for minimal to no orga nization interference in favor of full-out control of the invisible hand of the market to attain equilibrium. Instead, Keynes suggested implementing government regulation and intervention in order to arrest the economic recession. companionable theories also help us understand racial conflict. Martin Luther King, Jr. called for an end to racial discrimination which he considered a ghastly reality the States must face as a nation. In describing the horrendous social conditions which African Americans and other colored peoples are subjected to, King claimed that America had manacles of requisition and chains of discrimination which breed chronic poverty and injustice for certain segments of the population. Franz Fanon provides a stirring account of decolonization as a form of liberation. His work remains relevant especially in light of the fact that many of todays underdeveloped countries are former colonies of imperialist nations which have not completely been unshackled from their former masters economically, politically and culturally. It is only through liberation, which is necessarily violent that the colonized thing becomes fully a man.C. Wright move teaches the student to develop the sociological imagination which is a way of looking at at themselves as the result of both biology and history and in always looking at the world through fresh eyes. integrity is challenged to go beyond looking at ones self as well and instead consider ones development as product of several processes occurring within a system.ConclusionGiven the reality of global conflict today, conflict theories and social theories enable one to look at the phenomenon with renewed understanding and critical outlook. There are classical and alternative approaches of looking at conflict and conflict resolution processes. There are also classical and alternative ways of interpreting social conflict throughout history. Having a steady grasp of these theories assist the student thoroughly by p roviding him with several lenses to look at the problem and identify solutions.ReferencesAl Jazeera (2017). Thousands march against Dutertes war on drugs. 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