Discuss how conflict leads to social integration ?

Conflict and Social Integration :

1. In modern society, conflicts within a group may sometimes have integrative effects. Such internal conflicts have positive functions.

2. Objectives and interests of a group shift from time to time. New policies, programmes and leadership are needed to replace the old ones.

3. On occasions, contest within the group is essential. Such contests may keep the leadership active and the policies reviewed.

4. Sometimes, suppression of internal conflicts may cause discontent. Coger (1956) analyses the role of conflict in promoting unity. He writes : “In loosely structured groups and open societies, conflicts have stablishing and integrative functions for resolutions of tensions.”

5. Immediate expression of rival claims assists the social systems in readjusting the relationships by eliminating dissatisfaction. Multiple conflicts, therefore, serve the function in eliminating dissatisfaction. Multiple conflicts, therefore, serve the function in eliminating the reasons for dissociation and re-establishing unity.

6. External conflicts may also tend to integrate the groups involved. Inter-group conflicts assist to lessen intra-group hostilities and resentments. This releases the internal tensions.

7. External conflicts force members within the groups to co-operate faithfully.

8. Simmel explain how external conflict tend to integrate the groups. External conflict unifies the group through imposition and acceptance of tighter controls.

9. The country, at the time of war with outside enemy, permits its business organization to be directed towards national interests, which is not always expected in times of peace. All groups tend to centralise authority when there is need to organise resistance against outside enemy.

10. External conflicts separate a group from its enemy. They also promote federation or alliance of a group with other groups. All groups have a tendency to seek out allies intimes of conflict. But they may not be seen to do the same in times of peace.