War vs Conflict

Human civilization is replete with instances of wars and conflicts. In fact, at any given point of time,
there are scores of conflicts, battles, skirmishes, and full scale wars carrying on between political entities
and nations around the world. All there words smack of rift, tension and violence in some form but
among these terms, war is decidedly the deadliest as it is of longer duration and declared while rest of
the terms signify local level fights that cannot be considered as full fledged war. In this article, we shall
concentrate upon the concepts of war and conflict and try to find out the major differences between the
two.

War

When we talk of wars, two wars that stand out in the minds of all people are the two world wars that
tool place in the twentieth century and are living examples of destruction of lives and property. If we
count wars as open, declared, and intentional armed struggles between nations or political entities,
more than 3000 wars have been fought on the face of the earth so far and despite concerted and united
efforts by civilized nations, there seems to be no end to the use of this instrument of settling disputes
between countries. Though it is common to refer to armed conflict of long duration between two
countries as classical wars, civil wars inside countries are also considered wars. What would you call the
latest call given by the ex President of US to fight against international terror. He described it as war on
terror, and war indeed it is, involving cooperation and active support of the international community.

It is clear than fisticuffs between individuals, gang wars, killings by mafia and gang lords etc cannot be
classified as wars. However, there is a lot of confusion in this regard as armed rebellions against a nation
by a section of its population that feels oppressed are called as wars of independence by those who
support these rebellions, and extremism or terrorism by those in power.

Mutual disdain between political parties and use of violence by them against each other does not
constitute as war. To be classified as a war, the conflict must be widespread, intentional, and declared. It
requires mobilization of personnel and fighter or soldiers moving to front positions to defend territories.

Conflict

Conflict arises from disagreement between two parties where parties perceive a threat to their needs
and interests. It is a state of open and prolonged fighting between people, ideologies, and even
countries. It is a known fact that there are differences in the positions of parties involved in any conflict.
As long as the level of disagreement remains manageable, conflict remains verbal and can be solved (or
at least raises hopes of settlement) through negotiations. It is when the levels of disagreements go
beyond control that conflicts give rise to violence and armed struggles.

In an organization, there is always a conflict between the management and the employees because of
differences in interests. But there is a mechanism to resolve these conflicts like meetings, negotiations,
and talks. Similarly in a political system, there is always a conflict between the party in power and those
in opposition, but it does not get out of hand as there are rules and regulations and also norms of
conduct that keep discordant elements in check.

There are international conflicts that are mostly pertaining to disputes about geographical boundaries as
countries claim a particular region as their own which is denied vehemently by those who control those
areas. One such international conflict is India Pakistan Kashmir conflict which has led to three full
fledged wars between these two countries and remains a potential nuclear flash point with both
countries now being nuclear powers. Another international conflict that has remained unresolved for
the last 5 decades is the Israel Palestine conflict with Israel on one side and most of the Arab states on
the other side.

In brief:

Difference Between War and Conflict

• War is intentional, disclosed, wide spread and long duration armed conflict between
countries.

• War requires mobilization of troops and use of arms and ammunition to destroy enemy
targets.

• Conflict is disagreement between parties where parties perceive threat to their interests and
needs

• Conflict can be between individuals, communities, or even countries

• There are mechanisms to resolve conflicts but when they fail, conflicts can give rise to full scal
wars (when involving countries)

WHAT IS CONFLICT & WAR?

A conflict is a fight between armed troops. War is the hostility towards other parties issued officially by
governments/states. Conflicts are part of war, though not every war sees actual conflict, nor is every
conflict connected to war.

Conflict/armed conflict: when armed force is used by an organized actor against another organised
actor, or against civilians, resulting in at least 25 battle-related deaths in one calendar year. The
definition includes three types of conflict:

 State-based conflict takes place between two states (inter-state conflict), or between one state
and one or more rebel groups (civil conflict)

 Non-state conflict is fought between two organized, armed actors, of which neither is the
government of a state

 One-sided violence is perpetrated by an organized armed group, either a state’s military forces
or an armed group, against civilians. 

1. Analysis of conflict :

Feelings of injustice or deprivation give rise to conflict. These feelings may have some real basis or it may
be only because of some false or imaginary ideas. Some times false ego gives rise to conflict. Conflicts
are also created or imposed upon by interested persons or groups for some ulterior motive to make
some gain out of it. In a democratic country political conflicts will always be there and these are not
discouraging if they do not result in violence or go against the interest of the people. In a multi-racial,
multi-religious, multi-cultural country like India there is always a challenge on ethnic, communal or
cultural issues creating conflicts. The contradiction between the privileged and deprived sections of the
people, educated and illiterate people, people of higher caste and lower caste within the same religion,
social discrimination between men and women, trend of political subjugation of a small section of the
population are the major sources of origin of conflict. In inter-country relations economic, political or
military domination of strong countries over weak countries often result in conflicts.

2. Conflict and violence :

When conflicts are not reduced or settled through negotiations or other constitutional means, it gives
rise to violence. Violence is taken as a short cut method for resolution of conflicts. Suppressed sense of
deprivation or injustice finds vent through violence and in extreme cases it leads to terrorism. The
terrorist attacks on World Trade Centre in New York and Pentagon in Washington on 11th September
2001 have created a sense of concern all over the world regarding terrorism but not for the root cause
of conflicts or their resolution. For centuries powerful governments in the world indulged, promoted
and even exported terrorism in other countries for their narrow economic or political interest. Weaker
countries have to surrender or tolerate all such injustices. There is doubt how far the aggression on
Afghanistan in retaliation of terrorist attack is justified.

The root cause of such violence is hatred against an individual or group of people or society or country.
Hatred is inherent in human character which is kept subdued by rationality and wisdom. When this
rationality and wisdom disappear in the name of religion or ethnic superiority or a strong sense of
injustice or deprivation, conflicts develop and violence sets in. Every sensible man understands that war
against Afghanistan causing large scale devastation of the country can not put an end to terrorism. Lord
Buddha said more than 2500 years ago that enmity can not be put to an end by enmity. Only by amity
and equanimity can peace be achieved. So terrorism can not be eliminated by counter-terrorism.
Sensible people of USA demonstrated against such retaliatory violence and proclaimed that an eye for
an eye was not the solution as this would only result in a world full of blind people. In the country of
Gautam Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi, we can well understand that violence can not be put to an end
by counter-violence.

………..

War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as
mercenaries, insurgents, and militias.

..

What’s the Difference Between Violence and Conflict?

This weekend, after a short discussion on one of the ideas in Indivisible (specifically the idea that
violence to another is the ultimate form of disconnection – an extension of other forms of alienation), a
woman raised this question: "I get the idea that violence is disconnecting, but aren’t you VERY
connected to those you are violent with?" She continued, “When you’re that violently engaged or
enmeshed with someone, you’re more connected, aren’t you? Fighting with someone can be akin to
arm wrestling just so you can hold hands.”

This got me to thinking about the differences between violence and conflict. When I work in the victim-
offender program in California’s prisons, one of the questions we explore is “How could your (the
offender’s) need in the moment matter more than… (the victim’s life, body, property rights, etc.)?”
“How did you become so detached as to think you could just do what you wanted to another person?”
Believe me, a rich dialogue ensues.

Violence is “control over”. Violence arises to make something happen that you want to have happen -
injury to others, or collateral damage be damned. It’s power over another person: do this or else.
Violence demeans another’s individual sovereignty- their right to govern themselves and make their
own choices. Even if you reach some understanding after a violent incident, trust is usually broken, some
disconnection arises. Violence is always destructive.

On the other hand, conflict, specifically constructive conflict, offers a positive possibility.

Constructive conflict invites the co-creation of some new solution. It has the potential for “creation
with” rather than “power over.” Constructive conflict requires both self-confidence and respect for the
other's intrinsic worth. It incorporates inquiry into another's needs, emotions, values and goals; in
constructive conflict, we’re actually interested in what is real and true for another person. This means
we have to let other people be fully themselves, with all the good, bad, and ugly. Without judgement.
Without running away. Without giving in. When we’re committed to this idea, we can move through
ruptures and upsets, and even come out stronger.

I know a lot of people who are “conflict avoidant.” This shows up in any number of behaviors –
swallowing feelings, changing the subject or deflecting, or some other form of emotional drama. Very
rarely do we get the training or skills to navigate conflicting desires with others. Yet, if we can't do
constructive conflict, we might even leave relationships that had great potential. At the very least, we
will sub-optimize outcomes.

There’s a helpful framework from Thomas-Kilmann that plots 5 conflict style on two axes: assertiveness
and cooperativeness. The five styles are: Competing (assertive, uncooperative), Avoiding (unassertive,
uncooperative), Accommodating (unassertive, cooperative), Compromising (intermediate assertiveness
and cooperativeness), and Collaborating (assertive, cooperative). Which one of these styles of conflict
result in a sense of more connectedness? Holding your own center, and wanting to work respectfully
with others: the conflict style of “collaborating.”

Violence to another is an unconditional rejection of the other person’s very being and autonomy.

Constructive conflict resolution is unconditional respect and acceptance of a person.

After real talk, the development of a mutual solution, our connection will be stronger than ever.

….
As nouns the difference between violence and conflict is that violence is extreme force while conflict is a
clash or disagreement, often violent, between two opposing groups or individuals.

As a verb conflict is to be at odds (with); to disagree or be incompatible.