Week V Theories of Conflict 2 PDF

4. Theories of conflict The nature of human behavior: driven by nature or socially learned There are different theoretical explanations about the causes and sources of conflict in the field of peace and conflict studies. 1. Human Nature and Conflict: locate the underlying causes and so...

4. Theories of conflict The nature of human behavior: driven by nature or socially learned There are different theoretical explanations about the causes and sources of conflict in the field of peace and conflict studies. 1. Human Nature and Conflict: locate the underlying causes and sources of conflict in human beings or in human nature 2. Society and Conflict: locates the underlying causes and sources of conflict on: – the patterns of social interaction: the way human beings interact with each other in the society – socio-structural conditions: the way society is organized and the various social divisions within society lead to conflict.  The ‘Nature versus Nurture’ debate Theories under these two categories point towards. The ‘nature’ theorists: Trait Theories – emphasize that human beings are primarily affected by genes, so conflict is basically in their nature – view that violence is inevitable, widespread and universal—irrespective of the social structures—as it is ‘inherent’ in human beings or within the individual Social structural theories argue that: Conflict is not located inside the human being but outside it. Conflict is thus dependent on factors external to the human being  The ‘Nature versus Nurture’ debate Interactionist Theories: combines the features of trait and structural theories Human behavior, in fact, is a combination of both genetics and social structural conditions human beings are driven by their needs and they will pursue them at all costs. So, needs are, thus, inherent in human beings. However, these needs have to be satisfied in the social context and not outside it.  4.1. Biological Theories: Natural Selection and the Killer Instinct Biological theoretical approaches trace the sources of conflict and violence in the human genes. They emphasize on the biological factors or inborn traits of human beings Biologically determined factors are seen to be responsible for inter-personal and intergroup violence. The biological theories mostly focus on aggression. It considers aggression as being genetically programmed in the human nervous system. Various biological perspectives about human aggression are reflected in the Darwinism and Social Darwinism, Ethology, and Socio- biology. However, these perspectives have been subjected to severe criticisms  4.1.1. Darwinism and Social Darwinism Charles Darwin in his Origin of Species gave the concepts of ‘survival of the fittest’ 1. Universal struggle for survival: many more individuals of a species are born than can possibly survive 2. Survival of the fittest: only those best adapted to their environment will live to reproduce Fitness for survival: competitiveness, fight, predatory, defensive, inter-male aggressions, 3. Natural selection: competitive forces within human nature produced a general human instinct for aggression Social Darwinism explains conflict in terms of – ‘natural selection’ – the survival of the fittest and – the inherent aggression in human beings It stresses that competition and conflict play very significant roles in human society.  4.1.2. Genetic basis of Social Behavior Human nature has been profoundly shaped by the competitive conditions under which it emerged as the present species. In a fierce competitive environment, aggression may be a very natural response. Thus, human Violent behaviour is: – originates in our animal past and – genetically programmed into human nature. Irresistible outbreaks of violent impulses are ascribed to fixed biological propensities such as: – survival-enhancing instinct, – species preservation, – rivalry over resources such as breeding space  Ethology & Sociobiology Ethology: is the scientific study of animal behavior in their natural settings They argue that aggression is innate to humans as well as to other forms of life; Ethologists have contended that the behavior pattern of different species show a strong inherited base. All organisms, humans included, are a product of a process of ‘evolution’ in which ‘fitness’ for survival is determined by a combination of mutational factors and natural selection They also emphasizes that within species,  Cont’d Sociobiologists also agree that aggression is largely genetically based, but they emphasize its variability from species to species and from one pattern of social organization to another. For example, sociobiologists suggest that strong patterns of aggression within species are more apt to develop under conditions of population concentrations than when populations are spread out. However, both agree that given its autonomous nature, a drive to aggression cannot be easily controlled.  4.1.3. Psychological Roots of Human Aggression Sigmund Freud Human behavior is fundamentally governed by instincts Violence is rooted in our basic natures as animals Instinctive impulse is the source of human aggression and destructive behavior. Basic instincts are: Life instinct and Death instinct Death instinct generates the human impulses for aggression and destructiveness This is evident in the basic and primitive urge to fight and dominate  Psychological Roots of Human Aggression Such instincts never operate separately or in isolation; They are always blended so that opposite tendencies within our natures may be expressed at the same time Complex behavior typically includes many complex variations of these basic instincts. Freud says that during war, people may have a whole number of motives for assenting – some noble and some base, – some which are openly declared and others which are never mentioned..  Psychological Roots of Human Aggression A lust for aggression and destruction is certainly among them The countless cruelties in history and in our everyday lives vouch for its existence and its strength. The satisfaction of these destructive impulses is of course facilitated by their admixture with others of an erotic and idealistic kind Freud, continues though ideal motives may occupy the foreground of consciousness, they nevertheless obtain their strength from the destructive instincts submerged in the unconscious. Thus, a powerful desire for violence has to be reckoned with as part of a human drive toward destruction  Criticisms on trait theories Theories of aggression have been challenged by: – War is a learned trait reflected in cultural heritage – Social experience has a dominant impact on individual behaviour – Cooperation is as common as competition in social relations. If human beings are innately evil and biologically aggressive: – mechanisms for control are seen as necessary. – Tendencies toward destructive behaviour will be repressed by disciplinary control of human behaviour.  Cont’d Perspectives on biological and instinctive origins of violence ignore problems rooted in organization and development of society. Human behaviour has profound social roots. Political, economic, ideological and military structures have an impact on human interaction. Adversarial relationships among classes, nations and states do not arise simply from a deep individual  The Seville Statement on Violence The Seville Statement on Violence was written in 1986 for the United Nations sponsored International Year of Peace. A team of international specialists who were involved with the Seville Statement came up with the following five conclusion 1. It is scientifically incorrect to say that we have inherited a tendency to make war from our animal ancestors. 2. It is scientifically incorrect to say that war or any other violent behaviour is genetically programmed into our human nature. 3. It is scientifically incorrect to say that in the course of human evolution there has been a selection for aggressive behaviour more than for other kinds of behaviour.  The Seville Statement on Violence 4. It is scientifically incorrect to say that humans have a “violent brain”. 5. It is scientifically incorrect to say that war is caused by “instinct” or any single motivation. The Seville Statement was endorsed by a wide range of scientific and professional organisations around the world and was based on the latest scientific evidence. It was adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1989.