The Posting W11, joonhee Lee

Summary

a) the causes of war

Historians

They claim we cannot predict the war. In other words, the cause of the war is unknown.

Psychological theories

1. They think human (especially man) instinctively violent. This is usually suppressed, but it is sometimes expressed as war. War is a discontinuous phenomenon, and peace is not in fact existed. They argue that the way to stop the war is for women to become leaders.

2. The mental of the leaders who caused the war was abnormal. The anonymity of the election can prevent this case.

3. Human beings instinctively pursue competition. This combines with human technology and causes war. But it is criticized for the obvious difference between humans and animals.

Anthropological theories

They think war is caused by the elements of acquired (cultural). They say social reform as a solution. Others argue that the origin of the war and violence have nothing to do with it. There is only a whim of the leader.

Sociological theories

Sociologists have been interested in the cause of the war for a long time. They studied the war empirically and tried to predict the war. However, many formulas have been studied, but everything has failed.

Information theories

They regard the cause of war as a lack of information. In addition, depending on how much or how information is used to each other, the occurrence of war also changes. Here, information includes victory and defeat, ability of self and opponent, intention of each other.

Economic theories

They think that war is the result of an over-competitive economic system. The goal of the war is to secure new markets and resources.

Marxist theories

This is a claim that applies Marx's theory. They think war is the product of capitalism and develop in stratification war.

b)Conflict theory

<The basic concept of Conflict theory>

The members of society struggle to maximize their profits with limited resources. This conflict becomes a driving force for society.
Conflict theory was invented in ancient China and Greece. Over time, this was a theory shared by many people. All of them admitted the idea that "society needs conflict." In particular, Marx, Weber, and Mill, scholars of the 19th and 20th centuries, contributed greatly to the development of Conflict theory.

<Conflict theory’s attitude>

1. Social stratification

The stratification of the society is set appropriately for the upper class. And they think that the laws and norms of society exist to maintain the power of upper class.

2. Wealth and power inequality

Differences in between class lead to inequality(ex. Education, medical service). In many countries, there are inequalities among the hierarchies.

3. Drug abuse and crime

They think the laws of modern society exist for the benefit of upper class. The lower class thinks they should resist that by criminal behavior. And this is the basis of the deviations they think.

Oppnion and Question

While study this reading, I think there are many idea about one concept(war). each school have their own's attitude and these are very various and interesting. And the Conflict theory's reading help me remind the notion and contents.

Finally, I want to study about sociological theory's postion about the causes of war.