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Conflict Theories Kebede Lemu Bekelcha, GJR 2019, 1:4 Review Article GJR 2019,1:4 Global Journal of Religions (DOI:10.28933/GJR) Conflict Theories Kebede Lemu Bekelcha Department of Social Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Bule Hora University ABSTRACT There are many conflict theories. Each of them has its own per- *Correspondence to Author: spective that shapes the theme of its respective disciplinary ap- Kebede Lemu Bekelcha proach. Despite their significant differences in treating conflicts, Department of Social Anthropology, they may share common concerns, interests and focus on sim- Faculty of Social Sciences and Hu- ilar points that could attract their attentions. Theories of conflict manities, Bule Hora University are the explanations put forward to explain causes of conflict. The causes of conflict are numerous and complex, thus creating problem of analysis of specific conflict situations. The theories How to cite this article: are advanced to simplify the causes by looking at them in cate- Kebede Lemu Bekelcha.Conflict gories. Theories. Global Journal of Reli- Hence, this term paper entitled “Conflict theories” encompasses gions, 2019,1:4 conflict theories like Structural Conflict Theory, Realist Theory, Biological Theory, Physiological Theory, Economic Theory, Psy- cho-Cultural Conflict Theory, Human Needs Theory, Relational Theory, Systemic Theory, Marxist Theory of conflict, Internation- al Capitalism Theory of conflict, Game Theory. All these above eSciPub LLC, Houston, TX USA. mentioned theories are elucidated accordingly with their basic Website: https://escipub.com/ ideas. GJR: https://escipub.com/global-journal-of-religions/ 1 Kebede Lemu Bekelcha, GJR 2019, 1:4 1. Definition of the Concept Conflict disharmony in an interaction process and usually occurs as a result of clash of interest There is no single definition for the term between the parties involved in some form of conflict. Conflict must be understood in their relationship. Clash of interest could occur social contexts, involving values and beliefs, because either they are perusing their fears and suspicion, interests and needs, incompatible goals to peruse their chosen attitudes and action, relationship and network goals. (Brock-utne, 2001 cited in Hwedie and Rankopo, 2012). Pruitt (2001) have stated that, it is from down of human history that communities have been As Dagne (2013) stated in his article, conflicts competing for resource controls and are a normal part of human interaction and are dominance. These competitions inevitably led rarely completely resolved or eliminated. But individuals as well as social, political, economic they can be managed by such measures as and religious groups to conflict. It is true that negotiation, mediation, conciliation and conflict would have devastating effects and it is arbitration. undesirable. However, conflict is unavoidable In another word, as definition availed by and it has a character of persistence in one way (Montagu,1968), conflict is a condition of or another. Key concept Conflict is an inevitable phenomenon in human society’s sphere of life since the entire life of human kind is manipulated by the prevalence of conflict with the society when people set opinion against opinion, run interest against interests (Nader, 1968). No society in this world loves conflict. However, categories. The nature, causes and the impact as long as people live together, work together, of conflicts have been extensively written on by and interact with each other, disputes remain scholars. Depending on the school of thought to inevitable between sub-groups or individuals in which they represent, such explanations have a group, or between different groups. When tended to place a lot of emphasis on one these disputes are fuelled by emotion and particular or a set of related theories while become unsolvable, they develop into intra and diminishing the importance or explanatory inter-group conflicts. The source of the conflicts relevance of other competing theories the could be the incompatibility of the objective or condition under which conflicts occur, and subjective interests of the groups or individuals sometimes the condition for their resolution (Fisher and Keashly, 1991 cited in Fetherston, (Delessa, 2008). These theories are explained 2000). This implies that, in the interactions, one below: may violate the interest of the others and could 2.1. Conflict theory cause damages to them. Conflict theory suggests that human behavior in 2. Theories of conflict social contexts results from conflicts between Theories of conflict are the explanations put competing groups. Conflict theory originated forward to explain causes of conflict. The with the work of Karl Marx in the mid-1800s. causes of conflict are numerous and complex, Marx understood human society in terms of thus creating problem of analysis of specific conflict between social classes, notably the conflict situations. The theories are advanced to conflict in capitalist societies between those simplify the causes by looking at them in who owned the means of economic production GJR: https://escipub.com/global-journal-of-religions/ 2 Kebede Lemu Bekelcha, GJR 2019, 1:4 (factory or farm owners, for example) and those theory has been used to explain diverse human who did not (the workers). Subsequent thinkers behavior, such as educational practices that have described different versions of conflict either sustain or challenge the status quo theory; a common theme is that different social cultural customs regarding the elderly, and groups have unequal power, though all groups criminal behavior (Chris, 2014). struggle for the same limited resources. Conflict Conflict theory seeks to scientifically explain the general contours of conflict in society: how conflict starts and varies, and the effects it brings. The central concerns of conflict theory are the unequal distribution of scarce resources and power (Coser, 1956). 2.2. Structural Conflict Theory Structuralists maintain that conflict occurs This theory has two main sub-orientations; the because of the exploitative and unjust nature of first is the radical structural theory represented human societies or because of domination of by the Marxist dialectical school with exponents one class by another. The theory is however like Mark and Engels, V.I Lenin etc., the second deficient in its on-sidedness of looking at is the liberal structuralism represent by Ross causes of conflict. It, for instance, does not see (1993), Scarborough (1998) and the famous the bright sides of racial or ethnic diversity and Johan Galtung (1990) on structural violence. the strength that a society may derive from Structuralisms thus sees incompatible interests pluralism. It only sees the flaws. The structural based on competition for resources which in theory thus makes sense only when conflicts most cases are assumed to be scarce, as being are viewed from the broadest possible responsible for social conflicts (Collier, 2002:2) perspective, and only if the observer opts to ignore alternate cause of conflict (Folarin, The solution to these types of conflict to the 2016). Marxists is that the contradictions will end in a revolution-civil war, or some form of violence 2.3. Realist Theory leading to the overthrow of the exploitation Realist theory originates from classical political system. Liberal structuralisms call for the theory and shares both theological and elimination of structural defects with policy biological doctrines about an apparent reforms. weakness and individual inherent in human The structural theory attempts to explain nature. It thus traces the roots of conflict to a conflict as a product of the tension that arises flaw in human nature which is seen to be selfish when groups compete for scarce recourses. and engaging in the pursuit of personalized The central argument in this sociological theory self-interest defined as power. is that conflict is built into the particular ways Morgenthau (1973:4) and realist after him like societies are structured or organized. It Walt, argue that the imperfection in the world, describes the condition of the society and how namely conflict, has its roots in forces that are such condition or environment can create inherent in human nature, that human nature is conflict. Structural conflict theory identifies such selfish, individualistic and naturally conflictive, conditions as social exclusion, deprivation, that states will always pursue their national class inequalities, injustice, political interests defined as power, and that such marginalization, gender imbalances, racial interest will come into conflict with those of segregation, economic exploitation and the others leading to the inevitability of conflict. likes, all of which often lead to conflict Actors hence should prepare to deal with the (Oakland, 2005). outcome and consequences of conflict since it GJR: https://escipub.com/global-journal-of-religions/ 3 Kebede Lemu Bekelcha, GJR 2019, 1:4 is inevitable, rather than wish there were none. our generic make up. Thomas Hobbes, St This theory greatly justified the militarization of Augustine, Malthus and Freud are all classical international relations and the arms race. The biological theorists. theory has been accused of elevating power Further alienation to biological theories are and the state to the status of an ideology, shown in the difference between “expected hence has had tremendous impact on conflict need satisfaction “and “actual need satisfaction” at the international
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