Social Conflict Theory in Studying the Conflict in Northern Ireland
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Warsaw University of Life Sciences
Publication date: 2016-03-30
Polish Sociological Review 2016;193(1):119-136
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ABSTRACT
The aim of this paper is to discuss the usefulness of social conflict theory as a theoretical framework
for analyzing the conflict in Northern Ireland. The social conflict theories under consideration are Lewis Coser’s
functionalist theory of conflict, Ralf Dahrendorf’s theory, and Randall Collins’ sociology of conflict. The main
question is whether social conflict theories provide a useful analytical tool in understanding ethnic conflicts: their
nature, bases, and the actions of the social actors involved.