Conflict: Meaning, Causes And Types Of Conflict In Social Studies

Social Studies

Table Of Contents

  • Meaning Of Conflict
  • Types Of Conflict
  • Causes Of Conflict
  • Consequences Of Conflict

Meaning Of Conflict

Conflict is a situation of quarrels or struggle or fight. It can also be in form of opposition or disagreement, whatever form it takes, conflict connotes a negative activity hence it is usually inimical to peace, order and progress.

Conflict is a constant feature of human life. No two individual can behave alike, but differs in outlook, desires and temperament.

Types Of Conflict In Social Studies

Conflict can be peaceful or violent depending on the nature or dimension it takes.

1. Peaceful Conflict

This is usually in form of healthy competition such as school debates, inter house sports competition, international sports, game and football matches. They also include sports like boxing, wrestling which violent in nature. These forms or activities are peaceful because the contestant are guided by certain ethic and rules of conduct.

2. Violent Conflict

This involves the use of physical force including resort to arms to settle disputes, differences and disagreement. Violent conflict take various form or arises from various human activities. They include:

1. Communal land ownership disputes.

2. Secret cult activities especially clashes between rival cult groups.

3. Thuggery especially political thuggery are violent arising from election.

4. Violent conflict from religious fanatics.

5. Violent crimes such as robbery, kidnapping etc are forms of violent conflict.

Causes Of Conflict

1. Communal Disputes

Ownership of land has remained an issue in most rural communities.

2. Religious Intolerance

Religious intolerance have brought about a new type of conflict of unimaginable dimension in Nigeria.

Initially the boko haram an islamic religious group started killing and bombing Christian centres and churches in borno state and other places. Their activity gave the picture of a religious crusade. But it later change to war against society.

3. Deprivation Marginalization

Deprivation can be in the form of denying people their rights and due state of resources. People can be marginalised in the distribution of amenities and infrastructure by the government and it agencies.

4. Family Misunderstanding

Family issues and misunderstanding at times got out of hands and bring about conflict. In some cases can lead to lose of life.

5. Electoral Malpractices/Political Party Activities

Political party activity such as rallies and campaigns, riggings of elections and other forms of electoral party often generate conflict of terrible magnitude among political party.

6. Youth Unemployment And Poverty

A hungry man, they say is an angry man. When youths are not meaningfully engaged, the become ready for all kinds of violent activities including thuggery.

Consequences Of Conflict

1. Conflicts often degenerate into war. E.g The Nigeria Biafra war of 1967-1970.

2. Conflict dis-generate families, communities and nations.

3. Progress is far in a family or community that engage in conflict.

4. Conflict may lead to blood shedding, loss of lives and massive destruction of property.