Understanding Conflict and Violence Essay example

Conflict as a socio-political phenomenon is inherent in any society. He is one of the manifestations of the political process, method of resolving its contradictions. The important role of conflict marked already the ancients who asserted that the source of the movement of all things lies in the formation of opposites and their struggle. Conflict as a social phenomenon was first studied in the writings of Georg Simmel, G. Hegel, Marx, A. Smith, A. Tocqueville. Isolation of political conflicts in the separate problem of the world political science falls in the middle of the twentieth century. Since then, the political conflict studies has become one of the most important branches of theoretical and applied political science. In the†¦show more content†¦In this struggle for power is almost never openly declared (Batros and Wehr 2002). The desire for power is usually vested in the other clothing (religious, moral, ideological, etc.) to ensure the support of public opinion. Hence the criticism is born of the existing government, the ruling elite. Object and subject of political conflict is a political government, its possession, the unit of government institutions, the political status of social groups, values and symbols that are the basis of political power of the society. The subjects of the political conflict can serve an individual, small and large social groups (including ethnic - clan, tribe, nation) states and their coalition. In political tradition, there are several major methodological approaches to the study of conflicts associated with different paradigms of political science (Batros and Wehr 2002). Naturalistic paradigm explains the nature of politics, based on the dominant values of non-social factors that are innate and unchangeable in essence to the nature of man and society. One direction of the naturalistic paradigm - biopolitics - explains the existence of conflict in the political life of the presence and dominance in humans and the natural properties of instinctive aggressiveness, manifested in the struggle for the possession of vital resources. Another area of naturalistic paradigm - geopolitics - consider the conflict as aShow MoreRelatedSocial Conflict Theory : Social Identity Theory And Conflict1410 Words   |  6 PagesIdentity Theory and Conflict Theoretically significant to conflict is social identity theory. It allows â€Å"predictions to incorporate who is likely to perceive and act in group terms, to remain committed to the group in times of crisis† Turner (1999), Doosje Ellemers, (1999). Bar-Tal stresses conflict exists when an incompatible goal exists between two groups. The question of when incompatibility sets become important in understanding the cause of inter-ethnic or communal conflicts for instance, evenRead MoreMy Understanding Of Education Level Peace Building Efforts Essay1225 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Listening to four women peacemakers, rather peacebuilders, from different countries, cultures and contexts has broadened and, at the same time, challenged my understanding of gender dynamics in conflict context. This reflection essay aims to discuss how these presentations deepened and complicated my understanding of gender. It will mainly focus on Kurshid’s presentations of violent extremism in Pakistan. However, I will also use part of Fatma’s presentation on Western Sahara for theRead MoreConflict Analysis And Peacebuilding Planning Essay1143 Words   |  5 Pagesin East Africa, gender dimensions are often overlooked in conflict analysis and peacebuilding work. I believe that, as peacebuilders, understanding gender dynamics in conflict context would not only enrich our level of analysis, it would also help to come-up-with comprehensive and sustainable peacebuilding plan. In this essay, I will reflect on the conflict, gender and peacebuilding lens discussed in Lisa S chirch’s book (Chapter 9): Conflict Assessment and Peacebuilding Planning: Towards A ParticipatoryRead MoreAdolescents And War : How Youth Deal With Political Violence1523 Words   |  7 PagesHow Youth deal with Political Violence’. Political violence, the focus of this study – is difficult to define – primarily because it such a broad term which incorporates different levels of ideology surrounding the nature of violence, its causes, structures and objectives. Barber takes an interesting and unique stance in his literature, as he touches upon the rarely (but advancing) topic of youth and more specifically adolescents; in relation to political violence. Centralising on the role thatRead More Essay on Conflict Resolution and Mediation to End School Violence949 Words   |  4 PagesUse of Conflict Resolution and Mediation to End School Violence       Conflict and differences of opinion exist in every healthy organization. Americans need to try to take control of todays youth and the violence that is and has been developing in this country for many years.   Although violence will never be extinct, there are many different ways to reduce violence.   Each school and student population has different ways of dealing with and helping to curb the need for violence in schools. Read MoreThe Political Problems Of Burma1621 Words   |  7 Pagesis in constant conflict. We can wonder however to what extent can the conflict be understood by solely focusing on identity. If identity is an important factor in the emergence of tensions it is only one facet of the problem. Alternative theories to the identity explanation on the causes of civil war are polarised between grievance and greed theories (Ballentine and Nitzschke, 2003). However, it is possible to have a complete understanding of the causes and dynamics of ethnic conflict when combiningRead MoreThe Battle Of Inter State War1464 Words   |  6 PagesBull defines war as â€Å"organized violence carried on by political units against each other† (184). With respect to this broad definition, both he and Waltz posit models of conflict which can effectively be used to analyze the sources of modern violence. The warrior scholars employ the theories of multiple political philosophers including Kant and Rousseau in order to build theories that encapsulate the complex variables which lead to armed engagement. These theories can be extrapolated in orderRead MoreApplying Weber s Theories That Sh ape Everyday Life Essay1698 Words   |  7 Pagescombined inequalities, or seemed inequalities, that permeate themselves through the structures of power and conflict. The story of Cain and Abel is one of the earliest accounts of homicide, and the Roman Republic viewed homicide as a family matter, not one that needed government intervention. Throughout history, homicide has shifted as power and conflict have held different connotations, the understanding allowing murder to be seen differently today. â€Å"Homicides, as well as other negative interactions suchRead MoreThe Tragedy Of The Death Of Cain And Abel Essay1701 Words   |  7 Pagesdirectly correlate with conflict, murder goes beyond a fight that ends badly: the social phenomena is a result of combined race, gender, and class inequalities, or seemed inequalities, that permeate themselves through power and conflict. The story of Cain and Abel is one of the earliest accounts of homicide, and the Roman Republic viewed homicide as a family matter, not one that needed government intervention. Throughout history, homicide has shifted as power and conflict have held different connotationsRead MorePersuasive Conflict Essay981 Words   |  4 Pagesmust fight back against conflict with a war of words. When we are faced with adversity, we need to respond forcefully with nonviolent approaches and be confident when answering the call. Rather than be physically aggressive towards the opposing group, people need to remain united through their purpose to truly accomplish and solve the problem. The best way for people to respond to conflict is to react peacefully. Many characters try to solve conflicts by using violence. This form of retaliation