If Inequality Is Increasing, Are We Likely to See More Armed Conflict?

Social inequality is a problematic phenomenon that occurs all around the world and affects both the developed and developing nations. It is defined as “the unequal distribution of social, political and economic resources within a social collective” (van Krieken et al. 2013, p. 205). Inequality is closely connected with social stratification, a system of social hierarchy that positions individuals and groups into categories according to social variables such as class or ethnicity (van Krieken et al. 2013, p. 485). This stratification has a significant impact on the opportunity that an individual may have to move up the hierarchy of inequality (Gill 2017a).

This essay question asks to discuss some of the ways in which differences and inequalities persist over time. Thus demonstrating that they are not fixed, but forever changing, being caused in diverse ways by society. The essay will first define ‘Inequality’ and ‘Differences’. It will then use two strands, ‘Making Lives’ and ‘Ordering Lives’ to discuss how they persist and will look at some differences and inequalities within, wealth, homelessness, law, and class. Concluding the whole world is effected by continuing inequalities and differences, which is only getting worse.

Social inequality can practically be made apparent at any moment of someone’s life – whether at work or school amongst peers or simply watching the news in the morning. According to Dalton Conley, social inequality is narrowly defined as “a condition in which a difference in wealth, power, prestige, or status based on nonnatural conventions exist” (2017 p.241). Moreover, social inequality is a process whereby society can determine how a class of people is expected to coexist within predetermined social, political, and economic boundaries. The affected class will live within the predefined constraints, and the affected class will then pass the predefined constraints on to future generations. It is imperative to understand that social inequality is a result of social stratification, which according to

The sociological views of functionalist and conflict theorist on stratification and economic inequality have had profound impact on the current economic discussion. In the past, economist have argued that wealth inequality is essential for “economic strength and social stability. [5] That wealth inequality “is needed to reward hard work, talent and innovation”. [6] However, in recent years, many economist have come to the conclusion that extreme wealth inequality, can lead to economic stagnation and social instability. What degree of

Now looking back in retrospect, it has raised my understanding of the conflict perspective on how it applies to our current society based on power distribution and marginalization. Furthermore, according to the conflict theory, Kendal (2013),

The greed and grievances theory provides opposing arguments as to what really are the causes for violent conflict. Scholars have conducted numerous researches on a number of violent conflicts in attempt to analyze to what extent greed or grievances appear to be motivating factors for violent conflicts such as civil wars etc. Those who believe in the greed model trust that rebels draw out a cost and benefit analysis and resort to arms if they greatly believe that violent conflict will improve their situations economically. Supporters of the grievance model on the other hand believe that

Inequality has and continues to be an issue in the world. Whether its gender, social, political, or inequality of class, the problem of vast inequality is a reoccurring issue, that I predict will be an issue that will never be fixed. Several authors over the years have attempted to describe the issue and come up with a solution, such as Emmanuel Sieyes and Herbert Spencer.

Inequality is a social condition in which people don’t have equal access to different sources, services and positions in the society. Since the beginning of our existence we have seen inequality throughout the history of world. For example, we saw it through the Colonization process, when power defined race, and we have witnessed how the human being took advantage of this with native communities. For example, when the conquistadors came into the new discovered lands they felt in power because of somehow they had weapons, they felt superior, and they took advantage of the poor native, that all that wanted it was welcomed them. According to Jared Diamond, the roots of inequality in the division of the world within haves and have-nots was

The social conflict theory is based on society being a complex system characterized by inequality and conflict that generate social change. Social conflict can be seen all over the world we live in: in sports, politics and normal social engagements and society at large. Karl Marx studied social conflict His entire life and wanted to reduce social inequality. The social conflict theory can be described as favoritism; Society tends to show favoritism to the prestigious members of that particular society. Social inequality is shown throughout the world from situations of race, ethnicity, gender, and age. These factors may dictate wealth, schooling, power, and prestige. The social conflict paradigm views the patterns that benefit

Factors such as lack of information on the opposing part, commitment problems, and indivisibility among rebel groups provide another obstacle for the government to overcome if it wishes to end conflict before the war. Which in the long run serves as an explanation as to why for most groups, it is easier and often financially cheaper to go war rather than negotiate with an opposing party. In short, civil wars and terrorism are a byproduct of “bargaining

While a variety of definitions if the term income inequality has been suggested, this essay will use the definition suggested by the OCDE, who saw it as in “terms of the distribution of household disposable income of each individual” (OCDE 2008).

The empirical study of Collier and Hoeffler of 2004 will serve as starting point and basis of this paper, as it has initiated the debate about whether greed or grievance explanations about the origins of civil wars are inferior, as well as it was extremely famous and influential - not only in the academic sector, but also in policy and donor circles and the media (Berdal, 2005; Keen). However, because policy implications resulting out of their economic based conclusion are not overall appropriate, the study needs to be revisited with new data and novel approaches.

Over the past several decades, there has been an uncountable number of civil wars in different parts of the world which are caused by numerous underlying causes. Civil wars are “any armed conflict contained within the boarders’ of a sovereign state” Freeland Valerie. Introduction to Comparative Politics: Political Science 220, “Civil Wars.” November 16th, 2017. Civil wars have played an important role in shaping political and historical events of states and societies. Some of the civil wars that have occurred have changed the way the world functions politically, economically, and socially. Thus, civil wars aggregate an enormous burden on people in society who are not involved in power politics and the wars are have an effect on the overall state formations within specific nations. The main goal of a civil war is “victory for one side, settlements where the government is united, partition, and entrenchment” Freeland Valerie. Introduction to Comparative Politics: Political Science 220, “Civil Wars.” November 16th, 2017. Hence historians have argued that a number of causes contribute to civil wars and a lot of the contributing factors are very different from one another. States do not collapse unexpectedly but rather their destruction is deeply dispersed within their political institutions and it is a long process before civil wars are declared and it is nearly impossible to bring the state back to its original condition because of the corrupt governments. Thus, the

Scanlon gives five diverse reasons for the elimination of inequalities in societies (Scanlon, 1996: 2-5). The first reason is at base a humanitarian concern, for example to alleviate suffering. If some people are living under terrible conditions, the gap between the rich and the poor provides the opportunity to reduce the suffering of those people, without causing others to suffer a similar fate. The second reason for objecting inequality is that people should not be treated as inferior or made to feel inferior, for example through privileges of rank

The conventional understanding on the causes of civil war especially within African countries, to a considerable degree, has being predominantly characterized to draw its root on ethnic divergences. However, such premise appear extremely difficult to be true, owing to the fact that civil war is a complex action and requires the interplay of different variables to make it visible. Nonetheless, the role of ethnic differences in determining civil war cannot be overemphasized. But generalizing ethnic differences as a prime factor that result to civil war sounds unreasonable irrespective of what the actors pretend or claim to have motivated them. For instance, all most every country in Africa is multi-ethnic oriented state, and in such a cross cultural environment, it is usual for the minority to lay claim of being short changed either one way or the other. However not all the African countries have witnessed civil war. Within such context one can draw a logical conclusion that there are other variables which directly or indirectly play an interwoven role with ethnicism, or hide under the umbrella of ethnic diversities to cause civil war.