Tanisi (Year 8)
Editor’s note: Current Year 9 student Tanisi wrote this short essay during their time in Year 8. It is fantastic to see some of our passionate younger students engaging with the GSAL Journal. Tanisi argues that conflict is a natural and inevitable aspect of human interaction, often driving societal change and growth through opposing views. CPD
The first thing that comes to mind concerning the discussion of conflict is generally the physical sorts. The Cambridge dictionary defines conflict as ‘an active disagreement between people with opposing opinions or principles’ [1]. The premise of this essay is to elucidate the roots of conflict and ways to manoeuvre around it.
A common misconception regarding the topic is that many assume it holds a negative intonation; yet in a way, conflict has always played an essential role in humanity whether ordained for the better or the worst. The notion of change and betterment is brought about by conflicting ideas.
Societal Conflict: Why is it inevitable?
In the early 20th century, the National Union of Women Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) was overlooked- resulting in the forming of the Woman’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters. The difference between the two suffrage movements were how far they were willing to go for their cause; thought they had gained the issue publicity, were the suffragists’ peaceful protests truly enough to sway the patriarchy? Though refutable, the suffragettes’ dire action may have been necessary to tackle the dispute regarding women’s rights. Despite having the same interests at heart, the two groups’ methods of acting on it greatly conflicted.
Shedding light on the source of their disagreement, society has always relied on the need to undermine a group of people in order for another to rise above; women just happened to be the scapegoats. Societal conflict is the perspective that the basis of society is the constant struggle for power- this is still evident in modern day stereotypes. The idea of gender norms have always been a social construct designed to divide, leading to some believing in one to be inferior to the other. Prescriptive stereotypes are harmful as they place an unattainable standard for many as well as bringing down those who do not meet them. Societal concepts like these aren’t engrained in your head since birth, they’re cultivated unknowingly to maintain the disconnect in the world.
In regards to conflict in history, Kant accredited progression in society to the contradictory views of humanity; how the antagonistic aspect of humankind is imperative for personal growth. By listening to the experiences of those around us- we learn from their mistakes and improve. If we lived in a world void of differing opinions- would the world not lack diversity and creative innovation?
Propaganda & Influence
People aren’t born with hatred- it is taught.
Propaganda is the spreading of biased information to persuade an audience to further an agenda. The concept of stereotypes is briefly touched in the previous section of this essay, it is a major part of propaganda. An example of this is the movie ‘Triumph of the Will’ which was published in 1935 as Nazi propaganda. Hitler incorporated harmful stereotypes such as anti-Semitic portrayals in media as well as forming a youth group (that all children had to attend due to societal pressure) to broaden his reach.
Factors that heavily influence one’s views are variables such as upbringing; many adopt their views to orient with their families/groups normally to gain approval of sorts. In most cases, those who hold close-minded approaches involving certain topics tend to do it due to the societal validation and familial approval it provides.
Another attribute to intolerance is how subconsciously it can be the easier solution. Imagine if what you were brought up to believe in was swept away from you and the entire foundation of your existence turned out to be a complete lie- you would choose not to believe It, wouldn’t you? In the Allegory of the Cave, presented by Plato, this was illustrated when the other prisoners stubbornly refused to acknowledge the truth of reality- rather, they continued living their lives in the dark to avoid it. Ignorance is bliss.
Even if you don’t realise it; you are constantly being influenced by your surroundings.
Social Media & Fake News
Through the popularization of social media, the dissemination of information and communication has become more conventional.
Freedom of speech is a positive attribute of the internet yet many utilize it to incite disguised hate and prejudice. The amount of times one is exposed to a piece of fake news, their resistance to the information diminishes as they become more susceptible- beginning to accept it as fact.
Those who are prejudiced tend to be more likely to believe fake news that are biased against the object of their partiality. This is primarily due to confirmation bias, an ideology instilled in us all regarding our tendencies to seek out and interpret information (no matter how reliable it is) to affirm our convictions. Confirmation bias plays into the individual’s angle of their belief, typically resulting in extremist views and actions; it is a major contributor to conflict.
Everything is biased to some extent- it is our responsibility to seek out opinions from both viewpoints rather than hold our own over them.
Conflict is inescapable in the grand scheme of things; there is always going to be someone whose ideas do not align with your own. Take into account that there is no absolute answer, as well as the fact that there is no correct opinion.
It is crucial to keep broaden your outlook to see things in the perspectives of others. Research shows that over 50% of people do not seek out contradicting their own [2]; this is as opinions foreign to your own may seem intimidating- it is natural to reject ideas that make you question your own standpoint.
If others have strong beliefs of their own, surely there must be a reason to them?
Referencing
[1] Conflict | english meaning – cambridge dictionary (no date) Cambridge Dictionary. Available at: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/conflict.
[2] Burbidge, I. (2017) Why diverse opinions lead to better outcomes, The RSA. Available at: https://www.thersa.org/blog/2017/01/why-diverse-opinions-lead-to-better-outcomes
Thomson, T. (2020) Kant, Conflict & Universal History, Philosophy Now: a magazine of ideas. Available at: https://philosophynow.org/issues/140/Kant_Conflict_and_Universal_History
Manzaria, J. and Brock, J. (no date) War & Peace: Media and War, Media’s use of propaganda to persuade people’s attitude, beliefs and behaviors. Available at: https://web.stanford.edu/class/e297c/war_peace/media/hpropaganda.html
Andrews, E.L. (2019) How fake news spreads like a real virus, Stanford University School of Engineering. Available at: https://engineering.stanford.edu/magazine/article/how-fake-news-spreads-real-virus
Jones, H. (2022) What are gender stereotypes?, Verywell Health. Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/gender-stereotypes-5323771
Arlin Cuncic, M. (2023) How does propaganda work?, Verywell Mind. Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/how-does-propaganda-work-5224974
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