The Cause of War & Conflict Theory / Week 11 / Cindy Paskalina Kweesar

Summary

Some scholars try to find out what causes war. This reading, therefore contains some popular theories related to this matter.

1.   Psychological Theories.
The psychologist tries to explain that humans were originally violent. Therefore War is one way to channel the human nature. It also explains that war only occurs when men are in power, therefore one way to avoid war is to let women take the leadership position.
2.    Anthropological theories.
Unlike the previous theory, this theory assumes that war is something that is nurture, therefore this can be easily eliminated with the right approach. One of the factors that cause war is ideology, religion and nationality.
3.    Information theories
This theory is interesting because scholar propose that war is a result of lack of knowledge. Knowledge that is used here is knowledge about who will win the war. If they already know the results, then the person who will lose will most likely not participate in the war.
4.    Economic theories
Economic competition for limited resources to obtain wealth is considered the reason for the war. This theory is a part of Marxist theories which see class disparity as inherently bad.

What was interesting/what did you learn

the thing that I find interesting is Conflict theory originated from philosophy first. Chinese philosophy argues that to regulate men we need punishment that is feared by them. Therefore people who have the power to punish are people who are powerful in society. Besides that, many other philosophies have the same view. Broadly speaking, they agree that conflict is important in maintaining the integrity of society. One of the people most often associated with this theory is Karl Marx. After its contribution to this theory many other scholars have continued to develop this theory. For example Max Weber in his though in power, prestige and property or C. Wright Wills in a Social Structure.

Discussion Point

Looking at the data provided in the section on Wealth and Power Inequality, Unites States have a high level of equality. Does this prove that Karl Marx is right? Capitalism is a bad thing and communism will solve inequality?