Social Disputes and Conflict

Social Disputes and Conflict

Social Disputes and Conflict is the situation of opposition or antagonistic interaction between persons, groups as ideas in a society. It is a stressful state in which individuals and groups having differences in views of needs are trying to satisfy their own needs by causing discomfort or hindrance to each other.

As social dispute is followed by social conflict, both the terms are used synonymously and interchangeably. The traditional concept of conflict holds that it generates loss to the society, and it should be avoided. However, modern concept assumes it as a natural phenomenon that brings positive and productive results, if properly managed.

Conflict is inevitable. Where there are people, there is conflict, it must be properly addressed to bring about productive outcomes.

Sources of Social Conflict:

• Class concept of Karl Marx which holds that “have-nots” revolt against exploitation of “Haves”, which creates class struggle / conflict in the society.
• Unjust / Unequal distribution of resources that creates conflicts between members and groups in the society as a result of grievances of the deprived of less benefited party.
• Discrimination in allocation of public goods and resources on the ground of class, gender, ethnicity, origin, etc.
• Differences on social values : Existence of differences and non-acknowledgement of others’ culture, religion, life style, etc.
• Unequal social contribution : Unequal contribution by persons and groups in social activities and development. Those who contributed more have grievances over those who contributed relatively less for the society.
• Social violence and social evils : For instance, dowry system, caste-based discrimination, social malpractices, etc. that still exist in our society.

Positive aspects of social conflict:

Where there are people, there is conflict. It is true that antagonistic interactions occur in the society time and again. Nonetheless, it has some pros too. After conflict, people in the society get opportunity to understand the conflict, its causes and consequences and preventive measures too, which, in turn, increases social awareness regarding social conflict. if managed properly, social conflict has the following positive outcomes:

1. Reducing or removing discrimination that existed on various grounds.
2. Maintaining equality in the utilization and distribution of social goods, services and resources.
3. Focusing on transparency that increases the accountability and moral conduct in the society.
4. Ending the conservative thoughts, and amending social customs, norms and values with respect to time.
5. Developing social leadership by enhancing decision making capacity.
6. Promoting mutual understanding and fraternity.
7. Promoting participation, partnership and ownership in societal development.

Negative Aspects:

If social conflict is not properly diagnosed and managed in time, it will create counter-productive and destructive outcomes. They may be:

1. Disharmony and poor social cooperation.
2. Social violence and loss of life and property.
3. Spill-over effect of social violence across the country and globe too.
4. Obstruction in development activities.
5. Adding challenges to peace and security management.
6. Disturbance in social integrity and tolerance which have long-term effect.
7. Negative impacts on human development.
8. Increased criminal activities such as murder, violence, terrorism, etc.
9. Marginalized and oppressed become more victimized.

Social conflict leaves a legacy of poverty, week human asset, high unemployment and strife in the society, if not properly managed.

Actors in Conflict Management

Due to diversity in social process and activities, there are multiple actors in the management of social conflict. they can be:

1. Social leaders such as eminent persons, professionals, representatives of communities and organizations.
2. Political leaders of political parties in the society.
3. Leaders of various religious and ethnic groups.
4. Local administration.
5. Judicial bodies.
6. NGOs, INGOs and International organizations.
7. Civil Society.
8. Community-based organizations for promoting social consciousness and participation.

Methods of Managing Social Conflict

There are various methods for the management of social conflict. It depends upon the context and nature of conflict. In general, the methods that can be employed are:

(i). Preventive Method:

• Promoting social consciousness.
• Conducting social interaction/dialogue.
• Social opinion survey to understand social opinion.
• just and equitable allocation of resources.
• Social advocacy in favour of social benefit.

(ii). Curative Method:

• Understanding the situation of conflict.
• Appraisal of condition and probable effects of conflict.
• communicate to reduce the probable effect of conflict.
• Response to conflict such as calling for negotiation, facilitation, mediation, etc.
• Intervention through legal, administrative and judicial machinery, if other methods fail.

Role of administration in Management of Social Conflict:

1. Being well-equipped with information about structure and its effect in the society.
2. Promoting public participation in formulation and implementation of development plans and programmes to avoid conflict.
3. Ensuring equitable access and impartiality in the distribution of resources and public service delivery.
4. Effective monitoring and evaluation system for just, transparent and equitable distribution of resources.
5. Strong and reliable legal, administrative and judicial machinery to prevent, and punish crime and social violence.
6. Promote collaborative development with local autonomy and ownership.
7. Promote behavioral implementation of rule of law with efficient and effective justice mechanism.

Social Conflict in Nepal

In Nepal, federal system of governance is institutionalized as provisioned by the constitution. Nepal has faced a decade-long armed conflict, movement of Madhesi, indigenous people and bonded labors among others. the situation of conflict in Nepal at present is highlighted hereunder:

1. Division of society on the basis of political ideology has increased which have provoked social conflict.
2. Persuasion of sub-identities on the grounds of caste, ethnicity, language, religion, etc. has escalated social conflict.
3. Social Conflicts can be seen between the groups standing for and against social evils, malpractices, social crimes, and for and against their punishment.
4. Poor political discipline, and culture of blame-game among political parties invoke ideological conflict ranging from national to local level.
5. Prevalence of social conflict regarding unequal access and opportunities to public services, utilities and resources.
6. Untouchability, ethnic and caste-based discrimination are still prevailing in the society, which stimulate social conflict.
7. Extreme poverty and increasing unemployment, which increase social conflict and crime.
8. Weak legal framework, fragile administrative and institutional arrangements to prevent, and rapidly respond to social conflict and aggressions.

Though aforementioned problems exist, social relationship and interactions is so strong in Nepalese society that considerable negative effects have not been faced till date. Social unity, tolerance, cooperation and coordination still prevail in Nepalese society as a historical legacy.