Theories of Social Conflict - From Overview to Conceptual Development

After a low-threshold introduction, this book offers an orientation on various theories of social conflict and their potential for understanding conflicts in order to be able to deal with them constructively. Classic theories of social conflict are presented briefly first. Based on this, two selected theoretical perspectives on social conflict, the conflict theory approaches of Ralf Dahrendorf and Niklas Luhmann, are further developed. Dahrendorf's conflict theory is combined with a differentiated variant of his life chances approach. Luhmann's conflict theory is expanded to include a theoretical discussion of escalation dynamics and de-escalation archetypes. Using a case study on landscape conflicts in the context of the energy transition, the authors illustrate the potential of the theories discussed to explain the emergence, stabilization and escalation of such conflicts. The book will end with a focus on current discussions about the significance of feelings in social conflicts and how to deal with them.

List of contents

1. Preliminary Discussion.- 2. Introduction.- 3. Basic Theoretical Positions.- 4. Efficacious Theories of Social Conflict.- 5. Special Questions and Answers that Expand the Luhmann and Dahrendorf Perspectives.- 6. The Abatement of Conflicts Between Settlement (Dahrendorf) and Disintegration (Luhmann).- 7. The Costs and Benefits of Conflicts.- 8. Case Study: Conflicts Surrounding the Energy Transition Interpretations from Different Conflict Theory Perspectives.- 9. Conclusion and Outlook.

Product details

• Authors: Olaf Kühne, Ansgar Thiel
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 22.08.2025
• EAN: 9783031983061
• ISBN: 978-3-0-3198306-1
• No. of pages: 100
• Illustrations: Approx. 100 p.
• Series: SpringerBriefs in Sociology
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; Soziologie, Städte, Stadtgemeinden, Humangeographie, Social Theory, Friedens- und Konfliktforschung, Niklas Luhmann, Ralf Dahrendorf, game theory, Urban Sociology, Human Geography, Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflicts over Energy Transition, Landscape conflicts, Social Conflicts