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CONFLICT THEORY.

Discusses theorists from sociology and political science. How they complement each other. The sociological model that posits organizations have usurped the power from individuals' individuals & societal interests. The political science model of applying conflict theory to world conflicts; role of peacekeeping. Common intervention strategies of both groups of theorists.

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With their objectives of addressing human problems and finding solutions, both the disciplines of sociology and political science share common theoretical approaches. The goals of conflict theory are to address the repression and exploitation of people by social organizations and overcome these problems by creating an alternative paradigm for genuine interaction (Young, 1975). While conflict theorists from the disciplines of sociology and political science share this fundamental objective, they deal with this issue on a different level and scope. Sociologists are concerned with individuals’ interaction with society. Political scientists are interested in the relationships between larger entities such as social organizations and states.
From the sociological perspective, the conflict theory is

In contrast to the sociologists' detailed analysis of the fundamentalrelationship between the individual and the society, political scientiststend to focus on the relationships between larger entities, such aspolitical organizations and nations. In spite of these differences, the intervention strategies of conflicttheorists are similar for both disciplines. For conflict theorists in the discipline of sociology, one of theessential ways of rectifying the imbalance of power between various socialgroups is to verify that members of the social organizations behave inaccordance with their own rules. Sociologists are concernedwith individuals' interaction with society. (1975, February). Within such a forum, opposing parties will be allowedto share their opposing perspectives, unleash their frustration before theycollaborate to achieve a cooperative vision (Tjosvold, 1997). It is in this complex interaction between various states thatpolitical scientists depart from sociologists in their application ofconflict theory. ReferencesAzar, E. In addition, they delve into the devastatingeffects of domestic conflict that spill onto the world stage. Even thoughconflict theorists from these disciplines cover different areas, they sharethe same basic intervention strategies: the creation of meaningfulinteraction between opposing parties. The evolution of society has led to the severance ofa close relationship between the individual and society. Available: www.tetramain.co.uk/coopcon.html.Woodhouse, T., & Ramsbotham, O. Compared tothe realm of the sociologists, political scientists have to deal with amuch more complex and dangerous social situation. However, to truly redress the imbalance ofpower between various social organizations and other less powerful groups,the less powerful groups need to be allowed to participate in the policydetermination process. Cooperative and competitive goal approach to conflict: Accomplishments and challenges. Having cooperativegoals does not necessarily mean that the parties agree about the processand decisions. Furthermore, bureaucracies oftendeprive the individuals of sufficient information for them to be able toenforce their rights. Domestic wars capture the attention of the internationalcommunity in two ways. The management of protracted social conflict: Theory and cases. In the political science discipline, conflict theorists have appliedthe theory to the role of peacekeeping in dealing with violent conflictsaround the world. (1996, June 15). Political scientists need to extrapolate the sociologists'use of the conflict theory from a domestic social situation to aninternational social situation. N/A. Online. Political scientists can apply thesociologists' version of conflict theory in understanding the origins ofmany world conflicts today. From the sociological perspective, the conflict theory is concernedwith social organizations and their interaction with the public. However, politicalscientists are more involved with the repercussions of domestic conflictson the international community. Similar to conflict theorists from the discipline of sociology,political scientists are concerned with the individuals who are notincluded in the negotiation process. Dartmouth: Aldershot.Tjosvold, D. The third party generally shares commoninterests with the two conflicting parties. Theoretical foundations of conflict methodology. Furthermore, they illuminate the causes for theoppression that divide the society. University of Ulster.Young, T. Other countries intervene in order to preserve thebalance of power or fulfill their own interests in the quarrel. Some aspects of the conflict theorydiscussed above as a part of the sociological model can be used in thissituation. Therefore, social organizations must bewilling to provide all information necessary to allow for the verificationof their claim (Young, 1975). Nonetheless, the similarity between the conflict theorists from thetwo disciplines ends in the analysis of the other aspect of politicalconflicts. Each party will seekto enlist the support from sympathetic countries or eliminate the supportgiven to the opposing party. TheUnited Nations can establish centers that can monitor conflict situationsand forewarn the world community and intervene through mediators before theconflict escalates. Furthermore, he alsohighlighted the fact that the U.S would withdraw support and money fromthem (Young 1975). Proceedings of the 5th Annual AKD Research Symposium. The U.S. (199 ). In fact, the interests of civiliansare ignored while they face tremendous suffering in conflicts. Inrecent years, the two entities have formed a relatively conflict-freerelationship. America Online. The goals of conflict theory are to addressthe repression and exploitation of people by social organizations andovercome these problems by creating an alternative paradigm for genuineinteraction (Young, 1975). (1997, May). They alsobecome involved to uphold the international values such as the protectionof human rights in instances of great human suffering (Woodhouse &Ramsbotham, 1996). Increasingly,individuals have distanced their beings from the public functions theyperform. In the past, world conflicts were usually inter-state wars.However, Edward Azar (199 ) and his fellow researchers at the University ofMaryland's Center for International Development and Conflict Managementhave found that the eruption of world conflicts in recent years havestemmed from the discontent of communal groups within the society.Essentially, authoritarian and incompetent governments have deniedfundamental needs to certain communal groups within the community, thustriggering outbreaks of conflict. Especially in the caseof dictatorial organizations, their objective is to prevent the rise ofalternative sources of information to threaten their supreme position inthe society. Therefore, these domestic wars are complicated by thealliances of the opposing parties to other countries. What fundamentally distinguishes the two disciplines is thedifference in the effects and the scope of the conflict. March 3 2 . R. Terra incognita: Here be dragons: Peacekeeping and conflict resolution in contemporary conflict; some relationships considered. In order forconflict theorists from either discipline to address the conflicts withinthe domestic situation, there has to be a deep understanding of theunderlying nature of the communal conflicts (Woodhouse & Ramsbotham, 1996). Because of various forms of stratification, no genuineinteraction can take place within the society and ensure true harmony.Power and wealth are concentrated in the hands of the few, thus resultingin an unequal distribution of resources. Nonetheless, conflicts theorists from the fields of sociology andpolitical science both believe that strategies work best when all theparties work for the achievement of cooperative goals. Sociologistsusually deal with conflicts that occur within the society and hone in onthe interaction between individuals and society. They areoften victims of war crimes, ethnic cleansing and rape (Woodhouse &Ramsbotham, 1996). In direct opposition to these organizations, conflicttheorists believe that the larger population is entitled to have access toinformation about these organizations whose purported existence is to servethem (Young, 1975). Another possibilityis for the two entities to alter their relationships with one another. One of the key issues raised by conflict theorists is theneed to understand the nature of the conflict (Woodhouse & Ramsbotham,1996). Congress had tried to crack down on organizedlabor tactics by banning strikes and establishing minimum-wage laws. Apart from encouraging the process ofnegotiation, peacekeepers are needed to create a safe environment for thepeaceful talks to occur (Woodhouse & Ramsbotham, 1996). Civil wars usually do not remain within the boundaries of thecountries. However, increasingly, the changes inthe nature of world conflicts have begun to merge the concerns of the twodisciplines. During this process, each group can reorganize itself into order toaccommodate the needs and interests of the other group. For conflict theorists from the political science discipline, theintervention strategies can also be used as a preventive measure. Therefore, according to the conflict theorists insociology, the crucial objective of conflict theory is to resurrectindividuals who feel that they have a stake in society. Conflict theorists in the field of sociology believe that externalintervention is necessary in societies that are characterized by class andpower divisions. Furthermore, theinteraction is complicated by the cultural diversity and multiplicity ofthe players involved, each with their own interests at heart. They no longer feel a sense of moral and emotional attachment totheir public actions. One of theprincipal elements of conflict theory is to devise a set of strategies toelicit important information from hostile social organizations that viewthemselves as oppositional to the public interest. For thesesociologists, it is important that social norms should be created thataddress the needs of individuals, instead of non-human entities, such asindustrial, military, financial, commercial, or educational systems (Young,1975). Forexample, the traditional relationship between Congress and organized laborhas been affected by conflict. While conflict theorists from the disciplines ofsociology and political science share this fundamental objective, they dealwith this issue on a different level and scope. As discussed above, in recentyears, the causes of conflicts that concern both the disciplines aresimilar. In this negotiation, themediation party can persuade the two parties by highlighting certain valuesover others. Therefore, it is necessary in conflict theory for thisexcluded group to be included in the process (Young, 1975). However, unorganized labor is still excluded from the processof policy formation. For example, in his mediation policy between the Arab statesand Israel, Henry Kissinger emphasized the importance of shared interestsbetween all parties versus individual values. The destabilization of the society indicates clearly that thereis a radical imbalance of power between different groups. With their objectives of addressing human problems and findingsolutions, both the disciplines of sociology and political science sharecommon theoretical approaches. For conflict theorists in the political science discipline, theintervention most commonly employed is the use of a third party to mediatebetween the two opposing parties. Organized labor has tried to assert itspoint of view by using strikes and electing congressmen who promulgatetheir viewpoints. Rather, it creates a positive atmosphere that encouragesdiscussion from all quarters in the hope that a better solution can bereached with constructive contributions (Tjosvold, 1997). Political scientists areinterested in the relationships between larger entities such as socialorganizations and states. Fundamentally, conflict theorists from sociology and politicalscience complement one another in addressing the issue of human conflict.In the sociological model, conflict theorists highlight the wayorganizations have usurped the power from the individuals and createddesensitized individuals. Proceedings of the INCORE Conference on Training and Preparation of Military and Civilian Peacekeepers.

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