Causes of Conflict Between People

Causes of Conflict Between People

Conflict is the incompatibility of values between various parties involved in a particular relationship. The scuffle may arise due to antagonism or mere attempt to control one another. Conflict is a common occurrence in all kinds of human relationships formed in either social or work settings. Conflict occurs due to the varied personalities associated with different. However, despite conflict being depicted as evil, the absence of it illustrates potential social problems or thereof lack of any meaningful relationships. Due to this, many disputes have been attributed to financial, value and power dynamic causes. Therefore, this article shall discuss how the difference in values, financial situations and power dynamics causes conflict between people.

One of the significant causes of conflict between people is finances. Both the availability and lack of financial power is a substantial source of quarrels between two or more people. Money and other assets are the leading causes of these conflicts. Kaittila (2016) argued that people living in an intimate relationship might have disagreements due to economic pressure. The financial burden may come either as one partner feeling the need to provide or the couple may be undergoing difficult economic times. Therefore, in both scenarios, conflict may arise and can lead to the end of a formerly healthy relationship. Thus, finances play a huge role in causing conflict between two people.

Conflict can also occur in situations where ideologies differ. Variance in personal values is a leading cause of conflict between two people or more. Incompatibility occurs when conflicting beliefs and ideologies do not merge. The conflicting values can lead to assumed bias or premeditated hostility that can be associated with a particular individual. One such trigger that scholars have observed for centuries is religion. According to a report by Basedau and Schaefer-Kehnert (2018), religious discrimination increases the chances of violence and has been the leading cause of armed wars in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, having conflicting ideas and beliefs will cause two parties to engage in dangerous quarrels that can lead to conflicts.

The power paradigm is a source of conflict among people. The power conflict occurs when one party wants to maintain or exert influence over the other in a social setting or relationship. In most power conflict scenarios, one party is always deemed as weaker while the other is dominant. However, either of the party is likely to give up power quickly, and a struggle ensues. The battle can either end as “draw” or defeat of one of the participants. Such types of conflict occur mainly between nations, for instance, as depicted by Muehlenhoff (2015) the power struggle between the European Union and Turkey. Conflict can arise where parties are trying to control one another.

In conclusion, conflict is embedded in human society. However, a dispute can be deemed neither good nor bad. It is peculiar that lack of conflict is merely impossible, and lack of it is perceived as a failed relationship. One of the leading causes of conflict between people is financial status. People are highly motivated when finances are involved and will tussle vehemently. The difference in beliefs and ideologies also cause discrimination that contributes to constant conflicts. Power struggles also add to disputes, especially between countries. Thus, conflict can be triggered by a myriad of things due to the dynamic nature of humans; however, the parties involved should always engage in problem-solving dialogues to avoid carnage.

References

Basedau, M., & Schaefer-Kehnert, J. (2018). Religious discrimination and religious armed conflict in sub-Saharan Africa: an obvious relationship?. Religion, State And Society, 47(1), 30-47. doi: 10.1080/09637494.2018.1531617

Kaittila, A. (2018). Why do conflicts over money occur between partners? Exploring the explanations of childbearing adults in Finland. Journal Of Family Studies, 1-17. doi: 10.1080/13229400.2018.1428906

Muehlenhoff, H. (2016). Ambiguities of power: Struggle and resistance in (the relations between) Turkey and the European Union. Cooperation And Conflict, 51(3), 291-306. doi: 10.1177/0010836715613363