Discuss how conflict leads to social process.
1. Unlike the competitors, persons who come into conflict with one another are not restricted by rules. They often use coercion, fraud and fear.
2. The conflict process is praised by none. Nevertheless, it widely exists in society. Conflict emerges when an individual or a group tries to obtain a reward by preventing others from effectively competing. They do not try to have a reward by surpassing other competitors.
3. Horton and Hunt have defined conflict in the following words :
'Conflict in a process of seeking to obtain rewards by eliminating or weakening the competitors.'
4. Conflict is more extreme and violent form leads to indiscriminate killing of opponents or their total elimination. This has occured when two religious groups have fought or engaged in communal riots.
5. In less violent forms, conflict is aimed towards displacing an opponent. This is generally done by marriage one's reputation, condemning the person or using any other device to get the competitors out of the competition.
6. In recent years, intellectual competition between different schools of thought has led to conflict in several universities. Strikes are called on, processions are taken out amid slogans. Buildings are occupied, conference and seminars are paralysed by refusing to permit the scheduled orators (or speakers) belonging to different (or opponent) schools of thought (or philosophies).
7. Personal enmity is associatied with the conflict between individuals. But group conflict is not at all personal. It does not take place due to individual quarrel or individual interest.
8. Group conflict is highly impersonal. Here interests of the groups, not of the individuals, are significant. Group faithfulness and requirements are given first preference over personal feelings.
9. However, conflict is very common for the social life. It is so common that it seems as a part of the society. Indian society is based on plural cultures and mutli-languages where inter-group conflict is commonly found. Regionalism is based on regional or group conflict.
10. One can see the cumulative nature of conflict in society. Once conflict starts, it is difficult to stop. Each aggressive act provokes a more hostile behaviour. In this way, conflict process grows more and more intense and severe.
