top of page
Writer's pictureJohn B. Parisutham

World at Conflict: An Analytical Reflection– Manadir Mohammad Mahi

“Contradiction is universal, absolute, existing in all processes of the development of things and running through all processes from beginning to end.” — Mao Tse-tung

In the discussion of conflicts during the session of Current Affairs, we talked about ins and outs of it, the nature and consequences of conflict in different scenarios. Conflict is eternal, Pre-historic ages, age of mythology, age of empires, medieval, and dynasty ages there were conflicts. All the civilizations grow up from certain numbers of Inter-state, Intra-state or Non-state conflicts or war. Even though the processes of ruling, commanding, conquering, possessing and engulfing others or specifically minors are modified across eras; the ultimate result brings battles, treachery, death, chaos and anomaly on earth.

First and foremost, the idea of conflict can be treated broadly as a metaphysical representation of the clash of power against power. Or, conflict can be seen simply as a distinct kind of social activities, as two or more parties trying to get something. Moreover, conflict can be undertaken as a situation, an event or a process. Conflict is not an equilibrium of powers. Conflict is the pushing and pulling, the giving and taking, the process of finding the balance between powers. And not necessarily the balance is always equal, the balance is being unequal often in cases. There are always two sides to a conflict. We must be aware that both sides of the conflict must be identified and understood.

The concept of conflict is multidimensional. Basically, conflict can be divided into two types. Internal and External. Internal conflict takes place inside the mind of a character, more likely it is a self-judgment. Another is External conflict, which is in between two or more entities, persons, countries, forces. Though there are many factors, faces and explanations of various types of conflict, unlike vigorous descriptions, I will confine this reflection only on External conflicts regarding Social, Economic, Religious and Political parties.

Religion, family culture, educational institutions, economic and political systems are different structures of a society. Each is refined through conflict and may be disrupted through conflict. Conflict and violence may occur in any time, at any of these structures. Therefore, we find conflict in the home, in our religious institutions, in our job, in our relationships. Later we also find periods of unity, harmony, order.

There are several key factors which exaggerate or call upon conflicts in society. We see societies and their environment are always changing. Major sign in possibility of conflict is, that change influencing and affecting the interests, capabilities, or spirits of mass or partial population. Change in technology, economic development, education, and media, and so on can intensify and alter interests, produce differences in capability, and enhance or weaken spirits. Change which alters rules promotes conflict.

A sudden transformation from traditional to ultra-modern societies, or from easy-going to tough, massively alters the distribution of power across society. This is then the period of extreme conflict and violence for societies as their individuals try to reorder their positions and involvements. Evolution occurs in the social consciousness of persons. Education, travel, military duty, religion, communication (radio, television, newspapers), and so on increase one’s awareness of other places and people, other statuses and life styles, other interests. Expanding perception may lead to new aspirations and create a sense of personal, group, and class injustice. This often results into Separatism, where minority or separate groups of people being advantaged or underprivileged apart from mainstream population.

Adjustment in the economy of a society is often or frequent. Economic development increase society’s diversity of labor, its productive capacity, its wealth. It is therefore expected that the faster the rate of economic development, the less the probability of conflict. The expectation hampers when there is corruption or injustice, followed by inflation, accumulation of excessive wealth, uneven distribution of economic privileges and conflicts. Thus the higher rate of development, the stronger need of stable and transparent governance.

In modern states where the political system keeps and enforces the general strategies, conflict is often between the political elite and those attacking their policies or the status. This is where the Power Distance of a society matters. Often, the more dominant the political system in social affairs, the more social conflict swirls around the extensions of government control. Even everyday questions about the price of bread or gas, whether to change one’s wage, or buying a cow become matters of government policy.

International conflict and war occur due to the condition of international relations. It is dominated by powerful societies of world. The international relation is a mixture of interstate, inter-societal, and interpersonal relations. The fate is determined by the behavior and attributes of individuals, internal or international groups and organizations, and states. Faces of Terrorism in brief I can say: mainly 3 major fields– 1. Fight over resources; such as Land, Clean Water, Fuel & Energy, and Food etc. Assumed Goal-Optimize, Expand, Build, Colonization. Area of Interest: Infrastructures, Recycling, Oils mining, Manufacturing, Agriculture. 2. Fight between cultures: Religion, Gender, Language etc. Assumed Goal-Quality management, Content actualization. Area of Interest: Trade, Tourism, Communication, Media, Education, Transportation. 3. Fight for own morality: Epidemics, Youth, Longevity, Human phenotype (Skin, Hair, Look) etc. Assumed Goal-Cure from Injustice, Improved Living, Prolong Services. Area of Interest: Mass Vaccination, Hygiene maintenance, Healthcare and Medicine provision. Conflict is a very basis of creating or destroying any culture, civilization or relationships. Thus conflict resolution and strategic approaches get the utmost attention to the leaders, philosophers and decision makers. The goal is to build a better understanding of humanity among human beings, as it is obvious that conflict is undeniable part of nature itself. So conflict elimination is may not be possible but the always ‘prevention is better than cure’.

1 view0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Five root causes of poverty

Generally, poverty can be defined as a state whereby an individual’s income is inadequate and cannot cover the basic needs. When there...

コメント


bottom of page