One of the conditions for the development of society is the opposition of different groups. The more complex the structure of society, the more it is fragmented and the greater the risk of the occurrence of such a phenomenon as social conflict. Thanks to him, the development of all mankind as a whole takes place.
What is social conflict?
This is the highest stage at which the opposition develops in relations between individuals, groups, in the whole society as a whole. The concept of social conflict means the contradiction of two or more parties. In addition, there is an intrapersonal confrontation when a person has needs and interests that contradict one another. This problem has more than one millennium, and it is based on the position that some should stand "at the helm," while others must obey.
What causes social conflicts?
The basis is a contradiction of subjective and objective nature. Objective contradictions include the opposition between "fathers" and "children", bosses and subordinates, labor and capital. The subjective causes of social conflicts depend on the perception of the situation by each individual and his attitude towards it. Scientists conflictologists identify a variety of reasons for the emergence of confrontation, here are the main:
- Aggression, which can manifest all animals, including humans.
- Overcrowding and environmental factors.
- Hostility towards society.
- Social and economic inequality.
- Cultural contradictions.
Separately taken individuals and groups can conflict because of material goods, primary attitudes and values, authority of the authorities, etc. In any field of activity, a dispute may arise because of incompatible needs and interests. However, not all contradictions turn into confrontation. About it they speak only under condition of active confrontation and open struggle.
Participants in the social conflict
First of all, these are people standing on either side of the barricades. In the course of the current situation, they can be both physical and legal entities. The peculiarities of the social conflict are that it is based on certain disagreements, because of which the interests of the participants are also colliding. There is also an object that can have a material, spiritual or social form and which each of the participants seeks to receive. And their immediate environment is the micro- or macroenvironment.
Social conflict - the pros and cons
On the one hand, an open conflict allows the society to evolve, to seek certain agreements and agreements. As a result, some of its members learn to adapt to unfamiliar conditions, take into account the desires of other individuals. On the other hand, modern social conflicts and their consequences can not be predicted. In the event of the worst development of events, society can completely collapse.
Functions of social conflict
The first - constructive, and the second - destructive. Constructive ones have a positive character - they relieve tension, carry out changes in the society, etc. Destructive ones bring destruction and chaos, they destabilize relations in a certain environment, they destroy the social community. The positive function of social conflict is to strengthen the society as a whole and the relations between its members. Negative - destabilizes the society.
Stages of social conflict
Stages of conflict development are:
- Hidden . Tension in communication between actors is growing because of everyone's desire to improve their situation and achieve excellence.
- Stress . The main stages of social conflict include tension. And the more power and superiority of the dominant party, the stronger it is. The irreconcilability of the parties leads to a very strong confrontation.
- Antagonism . This is a consequence of high tension.
- Incompatibility . Actually, the confrontation itself.
- Completion . Resolution of the situation.
Types of social conflicts
They can be labor, economic, political, education, social security, etc. As already mentioned, can arise between individuals and within each. Here is a common classification:
- In accordance with the source of occurrence - the confrontation of values, interests and identification.
- On the consequences for society the main types of social conflicts are divided into creative and destructive, successful and failed.
- By the degree of influence on the environment - short-term, medium-term, long-term, acute, large-scale, regional, local, etc.
- In accordance with the location of opponents - horizontal and vertical. In the first case, people who are on the same level argue, and in the second, the boss and the subordinate.
- By the way of struggle - peaceful and armed.
- Depending on the degree of openness - hidden and open. In the first case, rivals influence each other indirectly, and in the second they go to open quarrels and disputes.
- In accordance with the composition of participants - organizational, group, political.
Ways to resolve social conflicts
The most effective ways to resolve conflicts:
- Avoidance of confrontation . That is, one of the participants leaves the "scene" physically or psychologically, but the conflict situation itself remains, since the cause that generated it is not eliminated.
- Negotiations . Both sides are trying to find common ground and the way to cooperation.
- Intermediaries . Ways to solve social conflicts include the involvement of intermediaries. Its role can be played by both an organization and an individual who, due to the available opportunities and experience, does what it would be unrealistic to do without his participation.
- Delaying . In fact, one of the opponents only for a while gives up their positions, wanting to accumulate strength and again enter into a social conflict, trying to regain what was lost.
- Appeal to arbitration or arbitration court . At the same time, confrontation is dealt with in accordance with the norms of law and law.
- The force method involving military, technology and weapons, that is, in fact, a war.
What are the consequences of social conflicts?
Scientists consider this phenomenon from the functionalist and sociological point of view. In the first case, confrontation is clearly negative and leads to such consequences as:
- Destabilization of society . The levers of control no longer work, chaos and unpredictability prevail in the society.
- The consequences of social conflict include the concentration of participants' attention on certain goals, which include the victory over the enemy. At the same time, all other problems go to the background.
- Loss of hope for further friendly relations with the opponent.
- Participants in confrontation are removed from society, they feel dissatisfaction, etc.
- Considering the confrontation from the sociological point of view, consider that this phenomenon has also positive aspects:
- With an interest in the positive outcome of the case, there is a rallying of people and strengthening of mutual understanding between them. Everyone feels their involvement in what is happening, and does everything to ensure that the social conflict has a peaceful outcome.
- The existing structures are being updated and new structures and institutions are being formed. In the newly emerging groups, a certain balance of interests is created, which guarantees relative stability.
- Managed conflict further stimulates the participants. They develop new ideas and solutions, that is, "grow" and develop.