Political conflict

In political science, there are no separate conflict resolution theories, since the conflict itself is considered within the framework of a more complex system, which includes the types and characteristics of the societies in which it arises, the influence of the conflict, its role, causes, conflict management and possible consequences. Among the main areas of study of political conflict are: theories of political structures (groups), theories of political stability and ethnopolitical theories. Theories of political groups are represented by the teachings of V. Pareto , G. Mosca ( theory of elites ), J. Sorel , F. Oppenheimer . Theories of political stability are reflected in the concepts of J. Blondel , D. Easton , S. Lipset and D. Sanders. Born in the early 60's, theories focus on studying the factors of conflict prevention in the modern world and analyzing the experience of the past. Ethnopolitical theories are mainly represented by I. Hekter’s concept of internal colonialism, T. Neurne’s theory of uneven development, and J. Rothschild’s ethnopolitical concept.

The following groups of objective factors are identified as the main causes of political conflicts.

• The relations of domination and subordination existing in society, which distribute individuals and their groups, social strata by position, some of which contain power, while others make it possible for individuals and strata holding them to exercise power.
• Fundamental differences of political ideals and preferences, value orientations of individuals, their groups and communities.
• The process of identification of citizens, their awareness of their belonging to political, social, ethno-ethnic, religious, subcultural communities.
• The political system of modern society, the characteristic organization of modern power.

The static structure of the socio-political conflict as the “ideal type” of the phenomenon (according to M. Weber ) consists of the following elements:

• subjects of conflict (two or more warring parties)
• object (subject) of the conflict
• indirect parties to the conflict third party
• environmental social environment (social and political field)

One of the main characteristics of a political conflict is its uniqueness: each conflict is a non-repeating combination of premises, causes, causes, actions, attitudes and other characteristics. However, according to M.E. Babosov ^[3] , one can trace the typical sociodynamics of the unfolding of a political conflict. Each political conflict develops in the next stages.

• Dichotomization of power relations along the line: domination - submission
• Differentiation of political positions of various social strata and groups
• A growing awareness of the opposition of political interests and goals.
• Formation of opposing political organizations and parties
• Polarization of the positions, goals and actions of political actors
• Political conflict
• Political Conflict Resolution

The outcome of the conflict may be different, but its resolution or finale is played out in three scenarios: through integration with an opponent, through cooperation with an opponent, or through suppression of an opponent.

Basic conflict resolution procedures:

1. Mutual exchange of information on the intentions of the parties involved;
2. Mutual obligations not to use force or threats during the negotiation process;
3. Use of legal norms and administrative procedures;
4. Use as intermediaries of authoritative persons;
5. Refusal to demonstrate their superiority or absolute intransigence;
6. Striving for consensus, reaching agreement on at least certain aspects.

The variety of political conflicts is structured according to different criteria ^[4] .

By Deployment Areas

• Domestic political
• Foreign policy

By quality characteristics

• Zero Sum Conflicts
• Non-Zero Conflicts

Relation to the structure and organization of the power system and its implementation

• Vertical
• Horizontal

By the content and nature of normative regulation or its absence

• Institutionalized
• Non-institutionalized

By the degree of openness and publicity of the conflict interaction of competing parties

• Open
• Hidden (Latent)

Duration

• Short-term
• Long term

By the forms of manifestations of conflicting political confrontations

• Political picketing of government buildings and embassies
• Political rallies and demonstrations
• Political strikes demanding the resignation of the president, government, etc.
• Political protest movement
• Political disobedience
• Political coup
• Political upheaval
• Political revolution
• Political blackmail

The political conflict is semi-functional, that is, it has both positive and negative functions ^[5] .

Destructive Functions

The destructive (negative) functions of a political conflict include the depletion of resources. In the course of the conflict, both sides spend all resources to achieve a better result: material, spiritual, human. Also, a political conflict can weaken the existing political system, put into question the generally accepted values ​​and foundations of society. Very often, the conflict contributes to the coming to power of extremist groups, which threaten the free existence of people in the state. In some cases, the conflict can completely destroy the existing system. This is exactly what happened in the late 80s - early 90s in the USSR. Another destructive function of a political conflict is that it uses violence as a way to solve problems.

Design Functions

In modern conflictological theories of L. Coser , R. Darendorf , R. Collins , T. Parsons , N. Luman and others, the theory that conflicts are destructive only in some narrow areas, and in general the conflict a phenomenon with predominantly constructive functions. ^[6] Firstly, the conflict is a catalyst for overdue social and political changes. Secondly, the conflict contributes to the adoption of any action in favor of changing the current situation. Thirdly, in the course of the conflict, previously hiding opponents of the government or system have the opportunity to publicly declare their positions. Fourthly, the foreign policy conflict contributes to the unification of society within. Fifth, political conflict is the time of the birth of great personalities who can influence the course of history.

• Civil wars in Russia: the first feud between the sons of Prince Svyatoslav (late X - early XI centuries), the second feud between the sons of Prince Vladimir (early XI centuries), the third feud between the sons of Yaroslav the Wise (second half of the XI century).
• The Thirty Years' War is a military conflict for hegemony in the Holy Roman Empire and Europe, which lasted from 1618 to 1648 and affected, to one degree or another, almost all European countries.
• The First World War (July 28, 1914 - November 11, 1918) is one of the most widespread armed conflicts in the history of mankind.
• The Second World War (September 1, 1939 - September 2, 1945) - the war of two world military-political coalitions.
• The collapse of the USSR (1991)
• The conflict between Russia and Japan over the ownership of the South Kuril Islands, which the USSR received as a result of the World War.
• The Syrian Civil War is a multilateral armed conflict with foreign intervention in Syria, which began in the spring of 2011.

• Conflict
• Conflict management
• Conflict structure
• Social conflict
• Interethnic Conflict

• Antsupov A. Ya., Shipilov A. I. Conflictology: Textbook for high schools . - M .: UNITY, 2000 .-- 551 p. - ISBN 5-238-00062-6 .
• Babosov E. M. Conflictology: Textbook for university students. - Mn: TetraSystems, 2000 .-- 464 p. - ISBN 985-6577-19-5 .
• Grishina N.V. Psychology of conflict . - 2. - St. Petersburg. : Peter, 2008 .-- 544 p. - ISBN 978-5-91180-895-2 .
• Zdravomyslov A.G. Sociology of conflict. Russia is on the way to overcoming the crisis . - 3. - M .: Aspect-Press , 1996 .-- 317 p. - ISBN 5-7567-0112-5 .