Social conflict: essence, conditions, causes, types and levels. Stages of conflict resolution

Doesn't suddenly appear. The reasons for it accumulate, ripen sometimes quite long time.

In the process of maturation of the conflict, 4 stages can be distinguished:

1. hidden stage- due to the unequal position of groups of individuals in the spheres of "to have" and "to be able". It covers all aspects of living conditions: social, political, economic, moral, intellectual. Its main reason is the desire of people to improve their status and superiority;

2. stage of tension, the degree of which depends on the position of the opposing side, which has great power, superiority. For example, the tension is zero if the dominant side takes a position of cooperation, the tension is lowered - with a conciliatory approach, very strong - with the intransigence of the parties;

3. Stage of antagonism, which manifests itself as a consequence of high tension;

4. Stage of incompatibility, which is a consequence of high tension. This is actually the conflict.

The emergence does not exclude the preservation of previous stages, since hidden conflict continues on particular issues and, moreover, new tensions arise.

The process of conflict development

The conflict can be viewed in a narrow and broad sense the words. In a narrow one, this is a direct collision of the parties. Broadly speaking, it is an evolving process consisting of several stages.

The main stages and stages of the course of the conflict

Conflict is a lack of agreement between two or more parties; the situation in which conscious behavior one side (individual, group or organization as a whole) conflicts with the interests of the other side. At the same time, each of the parties does everything so that its point of view or goal is accepted, and prevents the other side from doing the same.

Perceptions of conflict have changed over time.

In the 1930s-1940s. the traditional approach to assessing the conflict has spread. In accordance with it, conflict is defined as a negative, destructive phenomenon for the organization, therefore conflicts should be avoided at all costs.

From the late 1940s to the mid 1970s. the approach was widespread, according to which conflict is a natural element of the existence and development of any group. Without it, the group cannot function successfully, and in some cases the conflict has a positive effect on the effectiveness of its work.

The modern approach to conflict is based on the idea that constant and complete harmony, conciliation, the absence of new ideas that require the breaking of old methods and methods of work inevitably lead to stagnation, hinder the development of innovations and forward movement the entire organization. That is why managers must constantly maintain conflict at a level necessary for the implementation of creative innovation in the organization, and skillfully manage conflict to achieve the goals of the organization.

In its development, the conflict goes through five main stages.

First stage characterized by the emergence of conditions that create opportunities for conflict in the future, namely:

communication problems (unsatisfactory exchange of information, lack of mutual understanding in the team);
problems related to the peculiarities of the work of the organization (authoritarian style of management, lack of a clear system for evaluating the work of personnel and remuneration);
personal qualities of employees (incompatible value systems, dogmatism, disrespect for the interests of other members of the team).

Second stage characterized by such a development of events in which the conflict becomes obvious to its participants. This may be evidenced by a change in the relationship between the participants in the conflict, the creation of a tense situation, a feeling of psychological discomfort.

Third stage characterized by the obviousness of the intentions of the parties to the conflict to resolve the conflict situation. Here are the main conflict resolution strategies:

confrontation, when one of the parties wants to satisfy its interests, regardless of how this will affect the interests of the other side;
cooperation, when active attempts are made to satisfy the interests of all parties to the conflict to the fullest extent;
the desire to avoid conflict, when the conflict is ignored, the parties do not want to recognize its existence, they try to avoid people with whom disagreements on certain issues are possible;
opportunism, when one of the parties to the conflict seeks to put the interests of the other side above their own;
compromise, when each of the parties to the conflict is ready to partially sacrifice their interests in the name of the common ones.

Fourth stage conflict occurs when the intentions of its participants are embodied in specific forms behavior. At the same time, the behavior of the participants in the conflict can take both controlled forms and uncontrolled ones (clash of groups, etc.).

Fifth stage the conflict is characterized by what consequences (positive or negative) occur after the resolution of the conflict.

At conflict management The most commonly used methods are:

organizing meetings of the conflicting parties, assisting them in identifying the causes of the conflict and constructive ways to resolve it;
setting joint goals and objectives that cannot be achieved without reconciliation and cooperation of the conflicting parties;
attracting additional resources, primarily in cases where the conflict was caused by a lack of resources - production space, funding, opportunities for promotion, etc.;
the development of a mutual desire to sacrifice something to achieve agreement and reconciliation;
administrative conflict management methods, such as transferring an employee from one unit to another;
change organizational structure, improving the exchange of information, redesigning work;
training an employee in conflict management skills, interpersonal communication skills, and the art of negotiation.

One of the conditions for the development of society is the confrontation of different groups. How harder structure society, the more it is fragmented and the greater the risk of such a phenomenon as social conflict. Thanks to him, the development of all mankind as a whole takes place.

What is social conflict?

This is the highest stage at which confrontation develops in relations between individuals, groups, and the whole society as a whole. The concept of social conflict means the contradiction of two or more parties. In addition, there is also an intrapersonal confrontation, when a person has needs and interests that contradict each other. This problem has more than one millennium, and it is based on the position that some should be “at the helm”, while others should obey.

What causes social conflicts?

The foundation is contradictions of a subjective-objective nature. Objective contradictions include the confrontation between "fathers" and "children", bosses and subordinates, labor and capital. The subjective causes of social conflicts depend on the perception of the situation by each individual and his attitude towards it. Conflictologists identify a variety of grounds for the emergence of confrontation, here are the main ones:

Aggression, which can be shown by all animals, including humans.
Overcrowding and factors environment.
hostility towards society.
Social and economic inequality.
Cultural contradictions.

Separately taken individuals and groups can conflict because of material goods, paramount life attitudes and values, powers of power, etc. In any field of activity, a dispute can arise due to incompatible needs and interests. However, not all contradictions develop into confrontation. They talk about it only under conditions of active confrontation and open struggle.

Participants in social conflict

First of all, these are people standing on both sides of the barricades. In the course of the current situation, they can be both individuals and legal entities. The peculiarities of social conflict are that it is based on certain disagreements, because of which the interests of the participants collide. There is also an object that can have a material, spiritual or social form and which each of the participants seeks to obtain. And their immediate environment is the micro or macro environment.

Social conflict - pros and cons

On the one hand, an open clash allows society to evolve, to achieve certain agreements and understandings. As a result, its individual members learn to adapt to unfamiliar conditions, to take into account the desires of other individuals. On the other hand, modern social conflicts and their consequences cannot be predicted. In the case of the most difficult development of events, society can completely collapse.

Functions of social conflict

The former are constructive, while the latter are destructive. Constructive wear positive character- defuse tension, carry out changes in society, etc. Destructive ones bring destruction and chaos, they destabilize relations in a certain environment, destroy the social community. positive function social conflict is to strengthen society as a whole and the relationship between its members. Negative - destabilizes society.

Stages of social conflict

The stages of conflict development are:

Hidden. Tension in communication between subjects is growing due to the desire of each to improve their position and achieve superiority.
Voltage. The main stages of social conflict include tension. Moreover, the greater the power and superiority of the dominant side, the stronger it is. The irreconcilability of the parties leads to a very strong confrontation.
Antagonism. This is a consequence of high tension.
Incompatibility. Actually, the opposition itself.
Completion. Resolution of the situation.

Types of social conflicts

They can be labor, economic, political, educational, social security, etc. As already mentioned, they can occur between individuals and within each. Here is a common classification:

In accordance with the source of occurrence - a confrontation of values, interests and identification.
According to the consequences for society, the main types of social conflicts are divided into constructive and destructive, successful and unsuccessful.
According to the degree of impact on the environment - short-term, medium-term, long-term, acute, large-scale, regional, local, etc.
In accordance with the location of opponents - horizontal and vertical. In the first case, people who are on the same level are arguing, and in the second, the boss and the subordinate.
According to the method of struggle - peaceful and armed.
Depending on the degree of openness - hidden and open. In the first case, the rivals influence each other by indirect methods, and in the second they move on to open quarrels and disputes.
In accordance with the composition of the participants - organizational, group, political.

Ways to resolve social conflicts

Most effective ways conflict resolution:

avoidance of confrontation. That is, one of the participants leaves the "stage" physically or psychologically, but the conflict situation itself remains, since the cause that gave rise to it has not been eliminated.
Negotiation. Both sides are trying to find common ground and a path to cooperation.
Intermediaries. include the use of intermediaries. His role can be played by both an organization and an individual who, thanks to the available opportunities and experience, does what would be impossible to do without his participation.
postponing. In fact, one of the opponents is only temporarily losing ground, wanting to accumulate strength and re-enter the social conflict, trying to regain what was lost.
Appeal to arbitration or arbitration court. At the same time, the confrontation is dealt with in accordance with the norms of law and law.
Force method with the involvement of the military, equipment and weapons, that is, in fact, war.

What are the consequences of social conflicts?

Scholars view this phenomenon from a functionalist and sociological point vision. In the first case, the confrontation is clearly negative character and leads to such consequences as:

Destabilization of society. The levers of control no longer work, chaos and unpredictability reign in society.
The consequences of social conflict also include participants in certain goals, which are to defeat the enemy. At the same time, all other problems fade into the background.
Loss of hope for further friendly relations with the opponent.
Participants in the confrontation are removed from society, they feel dissatisfied, and so on.
Those who consider confrontation from a sociological point of view believe that this phenomenon also has positive sides:
With an interest in a positive outcome of the case, people are united and mutual understanding is strengthened between them. Everyone feels his involvement in what is happening, and does everything so that the social conflict has a peaceful outcome.
Existing structures and institutions are being updated and new ones are being formed. In the newly emerged groups, a certain balance of interests is created, which guarantees relative stability.
Managed conflict additionally stimulates the participants. They develop new ideas and solutions, that is, they “grow” and develop.

It is generally accepted to distinguish the following stages of the conflict: conflict situation, within which the determinants of the conflict are formed, provoking social tension; awareness social actors discrepancies in their interests and values, as well as factors that determine the formation of goals and ways to achieve them; open conflict interaction, where Special attention attract processes of escalation and de-escalation of the conflict; end of the conflict where it is of the greatest importance to take into account the possible results and consequences of both the previous confrontation and the way it is regulated.

It is known that in practice to determine the beginning of the conflict, the boundary of the transition conflict situation in open confrontation is not always possible accurately. It is even more difficult to define the boundaries of the stages.

In Western socio-psychological literature, the dynamics of the conflict is understood in two ways: broad and narrow. In the broad sense of the word, dynamics is interpreted as a successive change of certain stages or stages that characterize the process of conflict deployment from the emergence of a conflict situation to conflict resolution. In the narrow sense of the word, the dynamics of the conflict is considered in the context of only one, but its most acute stage - conflict interaction.

For example:

The appearance of the causes of the conflict;

The emergence of a feeling of dissatisfaction (resentment, indignation);

Proposal to eliminate the causes of the conflict;

Failure to comply with this requirement;

Conflict.

AT this case in fact, the beginning of the conflict is revealed, but the dynamics from the beginning of the conflict to its resolution is not shown.

Many authors, studying the dynamics of the conflict, focus on the relationship between objective and subjective factors, where the determining factor is still subjective (the awareness of the conflict situation by at least one of the parties). Pointing to the importance of understanding the conflict situation, they argue that social phenomena and processes are predictable and manageable. A person, sometimes included in them regardless of his will and consciousness, can contribute to the development of events.

Thus, we note that the conflict is a complex dynamic formation that has its own boundaries, content, stages and its own forms of dynamics.

All the variety of forms of conflict dynamics can be reduced to three main forms.

1. The conflict has cyclical character and goes through a predictable sequence of stages. The conflict is born, develops, the intensity of martial arts reaches its climax, and then, after measures taken to resolve the situation, gradually or quickly the tension subsides.

2. Conflict is phase process. Interaction of subjects leads to transformation social situation. Living conditions, nature and content are changing public relations, principles and rules of behavior of the individual, social structure and the status of individuals or social groups.

3. Conflict is interaction two subjects (individuals, social groups), in which the actions of one side are a reaction to the actions of the other side.

In real public life these forms are rare in pure form. As a rule, conflicts have mixed forms. Very often the conflict first has one form, then passes into others. This is especially true for protracted conflicts. Even a strike, representing a relatively pure form of cyclic conflict with pronounced stages, can pass into a phase form.

Most Interest represents an almost universal scheme of the dynamics of the development of the conflict, where the latent (pre-conflict) period, the open period (the conflict itself), and the latent period (the post-conflict situation) are distinguished.

A more complete and reliable understanding of the dynamics of the conflict involves the identification of the following stages in it:

1) latent stage;

2) stage of identification;

3) incident;

4) escalation stage;

5) critical stage;

6) de-escalation stage;

7) termination stage.

Latent stage potential rivals are not yet aware of themselves as such. This stage includes the following steps: the emergence of an objective problem situation; awareness of the objective problem situation by the subjects of interaction; attempts by the parties to resolve an objective problem situation in non-conflict ways; the emergence of a pre-conflict situation.

The emergence of an objective problem situation . Except for cases of false conflict, the conflict is usually generated by an objective problem situation. The essence of such a situation is the emergence of a contradiction between the subjects (their goals, actions, motives, aspirations, etc.). Since the contradiction is not yet recognized and there is no conflict actions, then this situation is called problematic. It is the result of the action of predominantly objective causes. Every day arising in production, in business, everyday life, family and other areas of life, many problem situations exist for a long time without manifesting themselves.

One of the conditions for such a transition is the awareness of an objective problem situation.

Awareness of the objective problem situation. The perception of reality as problematic, the understanding of the need to take some action to resolve the contradiction is the meaning of this stage. The presence of an obstacle to the realization of interests contributes to the fact that the problem situation is perceived subjectively, with distortions. The subjectivity of perception is generated not only by the nature of the psyche, but also social differences communication participants. These include the values social attitudes, ideals and interests. The individuality of awareness is also generated by differences in knowledge, needs, and other characteristics of the participants in the interaction. How the situation is more complicated and the faster it develops, the more likely it is to be distorted by opponents.

An attempt by the parties to resolve an objective problem situation in non-conflict ways. Awareness of the contradiction does not always automatically entail conflict opposition of the parties. Often at least one of them tries to solve the problem in non-conflict ways (by persuading, explaining, asking, informing the opposing side). Sometimes the participant in the interaction concedes, not wanting the problem situation to develop into a conflict. In any case, on this stage the parties argue their interests and fix positions.

The emergence of a pre-conflict situation. The conflict is perceived as a threat to the security of one of the parties to the interaction, a threat to some socially important interests. Moreover, the actions of the opponent are not considered as a potential threat (this is typical for a problematic situation), but as a direct one. Exactly sense of imminent threat contributes to the development of the situation in the direction of conflict, is a "trigger" of conflict behavior.

Each of the conflicting parties is looking for ways to achieve goals without influencing the opponent. When all attempts to achieve the desired are in vain, the individual or social group determines the object that hinders the achievement of goals, the degree of his "guilt", the strength and ability to counteract. This moment in a pre-conflict situation is called identification. In other words, it is a search for those who interfere with the satisfaction of needs and against whom aggressive actions should be taken.

Distinctive feature The latent stage and the stage of identification lies in the fact that they form a prerequisite for the transition to active conflict actions aimed at directly or indirectly blocking the achievement of the intended goals by the opposite side and realizing their own intentions. Thus, an incident occurs in turn and the stage of escalation of the conflict begins.

Incident(from Latin incidens - a case that happens) represents the first clash of the parties, a test of strength, an attempt to solve the problem in one's favor with the help of force. The conflict incident must be distinguished from its cause. Reason - this is the specific event that serves as an impetus, a subject for the beginning of conflict actions. In this case, it may arise by chance, or it may be specially invented, but, in any case, the cause is not yet a conflict. In contrast, an incident is already a conflict, its beginning.

For example, Sarajevo murder- the murder of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne Franz Ferdinand and his wife, carried out on June 28, 1914 (according to a new style) in the city of Sarajevo, was used by Austria-Hungary as occasion to start the First World War. Already on July 15, 1914, Austria-Hungary, under direct pressure from Germany, declared war on Serbia. And the direct invasion of Germany on September 1, 1939 into Poland is no longer a reason, but incident, signaling the start of World War II.

The incident exposes the positions of the parties and makes explicit division into "us" and "them", friends and enemies, allies and opponents. After the incident, it becomes clear "who is who", because the masks have already been dropped. However real forces opponents are still not fully known and it is not clear how far one or another participant in the conflict can go in the confrontation. And this uncertainty of the true forces and resources (material, physical, financial, mental, informational, etc.) of the enemy is very an important factor containment of the development of the conflict on its initial stage. However, this uncertainty contributes to the further development of the conflict. Because it is clear that if both sides had a clear idea of the potential of the enemy, his resources, then many conflicts would have been stopped from the very beginning. More weak side would not in many cases aggravate the useless confrontation, but forte, without hesitation, would crush the enemy with her power. In both cases, the incident would have been settled fairly quickly.

Thus, the incident often creates an ambivalent situation in the attitudes and actions of the opponents of the conflict. On the one hand, you want to “get into a fight” faster and win, and on the other hand, it is difficult to enter the water “without knowing the ford”.

That's why important elements development of the conflict at this stage are: "reconnaissance", collecting information about the true capabilities and intentions of opponents, searching for allies and attracting additional forces to their side. Since the confrontation in the incident is local in nature, the full potential of the participants in the conflict has not yet been demonstrated. Although all forces are already beginning to be brought into combat condition.

However, even after the incident, it remains possible to resolve the conflict peacefully, through negotiations, to come to compromise between the subjects of the conflict. And this opportunity should be used to the fullest.

If, after the incident, a compromise is found and prevented further development the conflict failed, then the first incident is followed by the second, third, etc. The conflict enters the next stage - it occurs escalation (growth). So, after the first incident in World War II - the German invasion of Poland - others followed, no less dangerous. As early as April-May 1940 German troops occupied Denmark and Norway, in May they invaded Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and then France. In April 1941, Germany captured the territory of Greece and Yugoslavia, and on June 22, 1941, attacked the Soviet Union.

Escalation of the conflict - this is its key, most intense stage, when there is an aggravation of all contradictions between its participants and all possibilities are used to win the confrontation.

The only question is: “who wins”, because this is no longer a local battle, but a full-scale battle. There is a mobilization of all resources: material, political, financial, informational, physical, mental and others.

At this stage, any negotiations or other peaceful means of resolving the conflict become difficult. Emotions often begin to drown out the mind, logic gives way to feelings. the main task is to inflict as much damage as possible on the enemy at any cost. Therefore, at this stage, the original cause and main goal of the conflict may be lost and new causes and new goals come to the fore. During this stage of the conflict, a change in value orientations is also possible, in particular, values-means and values-goals can change places. The development of the conflict acquires a spontaneous uncontrollable character.

Among the main points characterizing the stage of the escalation of the conflict, the following can be distinguished first of all:

1) creating an image of the enemy;

2) demonstration of force and threat of its use;

3) the use of violence;

4) the tendency to expand and deepen the conflict.

On the stage escalation , according to D. Pruitt and D. Rabin, the conflict undergoes the following transformations.

1. From light to heavy. The conflict of lighter forms develops into a conflict with more severe forms of interaction (for example, a simple divergence of opinions, views, etc. develops into fierce rivalry).

2. From small to large. The parties are increasingly involved in the struggle and attract ever-increasing resources in an effort to achieve transformation.

3. From specific to general. In the course of the escalation of the conflict, there is a “loss” of its object and purpose. The subject area of conflict is expanding.

4. From effective actions to victory and, further, to harm the other party.

5. Few to many. Initially, episodic conflict clashes on individual issues are carried out. During the escalation, "skirmishes" become permanent and for any reason.

Thus, even the most seemingly insignificant conflict can grow like a snowball, capturing everything. large quantity participants, acquiring new incidents and increasing tension between the warring parties.

Having reached its peak critical stage, the parties continue to provide balanced resistance, however, the intensity of the struggle is reduced. The parties are aware that the continuation of the conflict by force does not give a result, but actions to reach an agreement have not yet been taken.

Fading (de-escalation) of the conflict consists in the transition from conflict resistance to finding a solution to the problem and ending the conflict for any reason. At this stage of the development of confrontation, a variety of situations which encourage both parties or one of them to end the conflict. These situations include:

A clear weakening of one or both sides or the exhaustion of their resources, which does not allow further confrontation;

The obvious hopelessness of the continuation of the conflict and its awareness by its participants. This situation is connected with the conviction that further struggle does not give advantages to either side and the end of the edge of this struggle is not visible;

The revealed predominant superiority of one of the parties and its ability to suppress the opponent or impose its will on him;

The appearance of a third party in the conflict and its ability and desire to end the confrontation.

These situations are associated with completion methods conflicts, which can also be very diverse. The most typical of them are the following:

1) elimination (destruction) of the opponent or both opponents of the confrontation;

2) elimination (destruction) of the object of the conflict;

3) change in the positions of both or one of the parties to the conflict;

4) participation in the conflict new strength capable of completing it by coercion;

5) the appeal of the subjects of the conflict to the arbitrator and its completion through the arbitrator;

6) negotiations as one of the most effective and common ways to resolve the conflict.

By nature termination stage conflict can be:

1) with from the point of view of realizing the goals of confrontation:

victorious;

Compromise;

defeatist;

2) in terms of the form of conflict resolution:

peaceful;

Violent;

3) in terms of conflict functions:

constructive;

destructive;

4) in terms of efficiency and completeness of resolution:

completely and fundamentally completed;

Postponed for any (or indefinite) time.

It should be noted that the concepts of "end of the conflict" and "resolution of the conflict" are not identical. Conflict resolution there is special case, one of the forms of the end of the conflict, and is expressed in positive, constructive solving the problem by the main participants in the conflict or by a third party. But besides this forms the end of the conflict can be: settlement, attenuation (extinction) of the conflict, elimination of the conflict, the escalation of the conflict into another conflict.

From the above, it becomes clear how important a social task is the ability to take the development of the conflict under control, to prevent its growth, to reduce it. Negative consequences to develop an effective mechanism for conflict resolution. To do this, you need to understand the features of the following four main stages in the development of social conflict.

Pre-conflict stage(the stage of latent conflict) is characterized by the gradual folding of a conflict situation based on the aggravation of contradictions between social groups and awareness by the latter of the discrepancy between their interests. As a result, it begins to form psychological attitude parties to conflict behavior. It is customary to say that at this stage the conflict still exists in a latent (hidden) form. It is important to remember that it is at this stage that there are the most favorable opportunities to prevent the emergence of an open conflict by resolving the accumulated contradictions. If this does not happen, then some reason will initiate the development of a latent conflict into an open conflict.

Conflict behavior(stage of open conflict). This stage is characterized by direct confrontation between the conflicting parties, during which each of them seeks to obstruct the enemy's intentions and achieve their goals. Emotional condition participants in the conflict is characterized by a sharp increase in hostility, aggressiveness, the formation of an "enemy image". The outcome of the confrontation depends primarily on the resources at the disposal of the participants in the conflict (power, economic, information, demographic, moral and psychological, etc.), as well as on the state of the surrounding social environment.

stage of conflict resolution. At this stage, the outcome of the conflict is revealed, which can be reduced to one of the following three options. First, this complete victory one of the parties that imposes its will on the defeated enemy. Although it is often this option that turns out to be quite optimal (for example, in the case of a decisive, uncompromising defeat of the reactionary political forces), much more often it is also the germ of a new conflict, giving rise to a desire for revenge on the defeated side. Secondly, in the case of an approximate equality of the resources of the opponents, the conflict may not end in a clear victory for either side and may continue for quite a long time in a less acute, "smoldering" form (for example, state of the art Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh) or ends with a formal reconciliation that does not eliminate the root causes of the conflict. Thirdly, it is the resolution of the conflict on terms that suit all its participants. To achieve this outcome, which turns out to be the most optimal in most cases, special meaning have the following points:

awareness by the conflicting parties of futility force methods conflict resolution;

persistent work to establish civilized methods for normalizing the situation using negotiations, mediation, scientific study of the essence of the conflict;

a clear direction of the conflicting parties to identify and eliminate the real causes of the conflict, to search for what does not separate, but unites both sides;

reaching a sustainable agreement in which neither side feels hurt or lost face."

4. Post-conflict stage, on which efforts former opponents should be focused on monitoring compliance with the agreement reached and overcoming the socio-psychological consequences of the conflict.

Usually, four stages of development are distinguished in social conflict:

1) pre-conflict stage;
2) the actual conflict;
3) conflict resolution;
4) post-conflict stage.

1. Pre-conflict stage.

The conflict is preceded by a pre-conflict situation. This is the growth of tension in relations between potential subjects of the conflict, caused by certain contradictions. However, contradictions, as already mentioned, do not always entail conflict. Only those contradictions that are perceived by potential subjects of the conflict as incompatible oppositions of interests, goals, values, etc., lead to an aggravation social tension and conflicts. Social tension is psychological condition people and before the conflict is latent (hidden) character.

The most characteristic manifestation of social tension during this period is group emotions. Consequently, a certain level of social tension in an optimally functioning society is quite natural as a protective and adaptive response social organism. However, exceeding a certain (optimal) level of social tension can lead to conflicts.

AT real life the causes of social tension can be "superimposed" on one another or replaced by one another. For example, negative attitudes to the market at the part Russian citizens caused primarily economic difficulties, but often appear as value orientations. And vice versa, value orientations, as a rule, are justified by economic reasons.

One of key concepts in social conflict is dissatisfaction. The accumulation of dissatisfaction with the existing state of affairs or the course of events leads to an increase in social tension. At the same time, dissatisfaction is transformed from subjective-objective relations into subjective-subjective ones. The essence of this transformation lies in the fact that the potential subject of the conflict, dissatisfied with the objectively existing state of affairs, identifies (personifies) the real and alleged perpetrators of dissatisfaction. At the same time, the subject (subjects) of the conflict realizes the insolubility of the current conflict situation by the usual methods of interaction.

Thus, the conflict situation is gradually transformed into an open conflict. However, the conflict situation itself can exist for a long period of time and not develop into a conflict. In order for the conflict to become real, an incident is needed.

The incident is a formal reason for the start of a direct confrontation between the parties. For example, the assassination in Sarajevo of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne Franz Ferdinand and his wife, carried out by a group of Bosnian terrorists on August 28, 1914, served as a formal pretext for the outbreak of World War I, although tensions between the Entente and the German military bloc had existed for many years.

An incident can happen by chance, or it can be provoked by the subject (subjects) of the conflict. An incident may also be the result of a natural course of events. It happens that an incident is prepared and provoked by some "third force", pursuing its own interests in the alleged "foreign" conflict.

The incident marks the transition of the conflict to a new quality.

In this situation, there are three main options for the behavior of the conflicting parties:

1) the parties (party) strive to settle the contradictions that have arisen and find a compromise;
2) one of the parties pretends that nothing special has happened (avoidance of the conflict);
3) the incident becomes a signal for the beginning of an open confrontation.

The choice of one or another option largely depends on the conflict setting (goals, expectations, emotional orientation) of the parties.

2. The actual conflict.

The beginning of an open confrontation of the parties is the result of conflict behavior, which is understood as actions aimed at the opposing side with the aim of capturing, holding the disputed object or forcing the opponent to abandon their goals or to change them. Conflictologists distinguish several forms of conflict behavior:

active-conflict behavior (challenge);
passive-conflict behavior (response to a challenge);
conflict-compromise behavior;
compromise behaviour.

Depending on the conflict setting and the form of conflict behavior of the parties, the conflict acquires its own logic of development. A developing conflict tends to create additional reasons for its deepening and expansion. Each new "victim" becomes an "excuse" for the escalation of the conflict. Therefore, each conflict is unique to some extent.

There are three main phases in the development of the conflict in its second stage:

1) the transition of the conflict from a latent state to an open confrontation of the parties. The struggle is still being waged with limited resources and is local in nature. There is a first test of strength. At this stage, there are still real opportunities to stop the open struggle and resolve the conflict by other methods;
2) further escalation of confrontation. To achieve their goals and block the actions of the enemy, more and more resources of the parties are introduced. Almost all opportunities to find a compromise are lost. The conflict is becoming more and more unmanageable and unpredictable;
3) the conflict reaches its climax and takes the form total war using all possible forces and funds. At this phase, the conflicting parties seem to forget the true causes and goals of the conflict. main goal confrontation becomes the infliction of maximum damage to the enemy.

3. Stage of conflict resolution.

The duration and intensity of the conflict depend on many factors: on the goals and attitudes of the parties, on the resources at their disposal, on the means and methods of waging a struggle, on the reaction to the environmental conflict, on the symbols of victory and defeat, on the available and possible ways(mechanisms) for finding consensus, etc.

At a certain stage in the development of the conflict, the conflicting parties may significantly change their ideas about their capabilities and the capabilities of the enemy. There comes a moment of “reassessment of values”, due to new relationships that have arisen as a result of the conflict, a new alignment of forces, the realization of the impossibility of achieving goals or the exorbitant cost of success. All this stimulates a change in the tactics and strategy of conflict behavior. In this situation, one or both of the conflicting parties begin to look for ways out of the conflict, and the intensity of the struggle, as a rule, subsides. From this moment, the process of ending the conflict actually begins, which does not exclude new aggravations.

At the stage of conflict resolution, the following scenarios are possible:

1) the obvious superiority of one of the parties allows it to impose its own conditions for ending the conflict on a weaker opponent;
2) the struggle goes on until the complete defeat of one of the parties;
3) due to lack of resources, the struggle takes on a protracted, sluggish character;
4) having exhausted resources and not identifying a clear (potential) winner, the parties make mutual concessions in the conflict;
5) the conflict can be stopped under the pressure of a third force.

social conflict will continue until there are clear conditions for its termination. In a fully institutionalized conflict, such conditions can be determined even before the confrontation begins (for example, as in a game where there are rules for its completion), or they can be developed and mutually agreed upon already in the course of the development of the conflict. If the conflict is not institutionalized or partially institutionalized, then there are additional problems of its completion.

There are also absolute conflicts in which the struggle is fought until the complete destruction of one or both rivals. Consequently, the more rigidly the subject of the dispute is outlined, the more obvious the signs that mark the victory and defeat of the parties, the more likely it is that the conflict will be localized in time and space, and the less victims will be required to resolve it.

There are many ways to end a conflict. Basically, they are aimed at changing the conflict situation itself, either by influencing the participants in the conflict, or by changing the characteristics of the object of the conflict, or in other ways, namely:

1) elimination of the object of the conflict;
2) replacement of one object by another;
3) elimination of one side of the participants in the conflict;
4) change in the position of one of the parties;
5) change in the characteristics of the object and subject of the conflict;
6) obtaining new information about the object or imposing additional conditions on it;
7) prevention of direct or indirect interaction of participants;
8) the arrival of the parties to the conflict to a single decision (consensus) or their appeal to the "arbitrator", subject to submission to any of his decisions.

There are other ways to end the conflict. For example, the military conflict between Bosnian Serbs, Muslims and Croats was ended by force. Peacekeeping forces (NATO, UN) literally forced the conflicting parties to sit down at the negotiating table.

The final stage of the conflict resolution stage involves negotiations and legal registration available arrangements. In interpersonal and intergroup conflicts the results of the negotiations may take the form of oral agreements and mutual obligations of the parties.

Usually one of the conditions for starting the negotiation process is a temporary truce. However, there are options when at the stage preliminary agreements the parties not only do not stop "hostilities", but go to aggravate the conflict, trying to strengthen their positions in the negotiations. Negotiations involve a mutual search for a compromise between the conflicting parties and include the following possible procedures:

1) recognition of the existence of a conflict;
2) approval of procedural rules and norms;
3) identification of the main controversial issues (drawing up a protocol of disagreements);
4) research options problem solution;
5) search for agreements on each controversial issue and on the settlement of the conflict in general;
6) documenting the agreements reached;
7) fulfillment of all accepted mutual obligations.

Negotiations may differ from each other in terms of both the level of the contracting parties and the differences existing between them, but the basic procedures (elements) of the negotiations remain unchanged.

The negotiation process can be based on a compromise method based on mutual concessions of the parties, or a method focused on joint decision existing problems.

The methods of conducting negotiations and their results depend not only on the relationship between the warring parties, but also on domestic situation each of the parties, from relations with allies, as well as from other non-conflict factors.

4. After the conflict stage.

The end of the direct confrontation of the parties does not always mean that the conflict is completely resolved. The degree of satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the parties with the concluded peace agreements will largely depend on the following provisions:

to what extent it was possible to achieve the pursued goal during the conflict and subsequent negotiations;
what methods and ways the struggle was waged;
how great are the losses of the parties (human, material, territorial, etc.);
how great is the degree of infringement of feelings dignity one side or the other;
whether it was possible, as a result of the conclusion of peace, to remove emotional stress parties;
what methods were used as the basis of the negotiation process;
to what extent it was possible to balance the interests of the parties;
whether the compromise was imposed under forceful pressure (by one of the parties or by some "third force") or was the result of mutual search conflict resolution;
what is the reaction of the surrounding social environment to the outcome of the conflict.

If one or both parties believe that the signed peace agreements infringe on their interests, then tensions in the relationship between the parties will continue, and the cessation of the conflict may be perceived as a temporary respite. Peace, concluded as a result of mutual depletion of resources, is also not always able to resolve the main contentious issues that caused the conflict. The most durable is a peace concluded on the basis of consensus, when the parties consider the conflict to be completely resolved and build their relations on the basis of trust and cooperation.

The post-conflict phase marks a new objective reality: a new alignment of forces, new relations of opponents to each other and to the environment social environment, a new vision of existing problems and a new assessment of their strengths and capabilities. For example, Chechen War literally forced the top Russian leadership to take a fresh look at the situation in everything Caucasus region and more realistically assess the combat and economic potential Russia.