The Function of Social ConflictAnalytic
Salisbury University
CADR 500
Fall 2014
Professor: Thomas Boudreau, PhD.
The Function of Social Conflict
Analytic paper on Coser book
Mohamed Tirab
“I declare and certify that I wrote this paper or essay and that this paper contains only my writing or works, plus proper citations of any other author’s ideas, writing works”
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Introduction
The core question of Lewis Coser’s book The Function of Social Conflict was: are they any short term functional benefits in the American society, as a result of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003? My direct answer to this question is “no” if we the temporary and partial unification of the American people at the time of the event taken as an exception. In his book Coser discusses a lot of both positive and negative functions of the conflict. Most notable is Simmel’s proposition in which he says, “Conflict serves to establish and maintain the identity and boundary lines of societies and groups. Conflict with out- group contributes to the establishment and reaffirmation of the identity of the group and maintains its boundaries against the surrounding social world” (Coser 1956). Simmel went further by saying, “patterned enmities and reciprocal antagonisms conserve social divisions and systems of stratification. Such patterned antagonism prevents the gradual disappearance of boundaries between the subgroups of social system and they assign position to various subsystems within a total system” (Coser 1956).
The theories and application to conflicts.
The above mentioned theories are probably the most interesting, because of the clear application to all conflict within group structures, but at the same time it fails to address a key significant issue which is a time issue. Despite the fact that every conflict is unique, the timing always is the defining master in every matter, and Simmel’s proposition raises a question in my mind, of what time frame these theories hold true. That is why it is important
CADR 500
Fall 2014
Professor: Thomas Boudreau, PhD.
The Function of Social Conflict
Analytic paper on Coser book
Mohamed Tirab
“I declare and certify that I wrote this paper or essay and that this paper contains only my writing or works, plus proper citations of any other author’s ideas, writing works”
…………………………………………………………………..
Introduction
The core question of Lewis Coser’s book The Function of Social Conflict was: are they any short term functional benefits in the American society, as a result of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003? My direct answer to this question is “no” if we the temporary and partial unification of the American people at the time of the event taken as an exception. In his book Coser discusses a lot of both positive and negative functions of the conflict. Most notable is Simmel’s proposition in which he says, “Conflict serves to establish and maintain the identity and boundary lines of societies and groups. Conflict with out- group contributes to the establishment and reaffirmation of the identity of the group and maintains its boundaries against the surrounding social world” (Coser 1956). Simmel went further by saying, “patterned enmities and reciprocal antagonisms conserve social divisions and systems of stratification. Such patterned antagonism prevents the gradual disappearance of boundaries between the subgroups of social system and they assign position to various subsystems within a total system” (Coser 1956).
The theories and application to conflicts.
The above mentioned theories are probably the most interesting, because of the clear application to all conflict within group structures, but at the same time it fails to address a key significant issue which is a time issue. Despite the fact that every conflict is unique, the timing always is the defining master in every matter, and Simmel’s proposition raises a question in my mind, of what time frame these theories hold true. That is why it is important
Bibliography: Bonn, Scott. Mass Deception: Moral Panic and the U.S. War on Iraq. New Brunswick: Rutger University Press, 2010. Boudreau, Thomas. "When the Killing Begins An Epistemic Inquiry into Violent Human Conflict, Contested Truths, and Multiplex Methodology." In Critical Issues in Peace and Conflict Studies Theory, Practice, and Pedagogy, by Jessica Senechi, Sean Byrne Thomas Matyok, 22. New York: Lexongton Books, 2012. Caroline Smith and James Lindsay. "Brookings." brookings.edu. Summer 2003. http://www.brookings.edu/research/articles/2003/06/summer-iraq-lindsay (accessed November 15, 2014). Coser, Lewis. The Function of Social Conflict. New York: Routledge, 1956. Creighton, Ellen. "Atlantic International Studies Organization." atlismata.org. November 15, 2014. http://atlismta.org/online-journals/0506-journal-government-and-the-rights-of-individuals/jus-ad-bellum-in-the-iraq-war/ (accessed November 15, 2014). Gallup. "Foreign Affairs, Iraq." gallup.com. November 14, 2014. http://www.gallup.com/poll/1633/iraq.aspx (accessed November 1, 2014). Murphy, Jarrett. "CBS/AP." cbsnews.com. September 26, 2003. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cheneys-halliburton-ties-remain/ (accessed November 15, 2014).