Political Economy Of Conflict (Pols 215)

Introduction

Political economy of conflict examines how political power, economic systems, and resource distribution interact to produce cooperation or conflict within societies and between states. It helps us understand why conflicts arise, how economic interests shape political decisions, and how power relations influence peace or violence.

Political Economy

Political economy is the study of the relationship between politics and economics, focusing on how political institutions, power relations, and economic ideas shape society.

It is seen as a sub-discipline of political science that deals with political ideology, economic structures, human interaction, human nature, and philosophical theories.

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Political economy is also viewed as a combination of politics, economics, sociology, philosophy, and history. It brings together evidence from these disciplines to explain how humans exist and interact within societies.

It is defined as the study of production, trade, and their relationship with law, customs, and government, as well as the distribution of national income and wealth.

It is also defined as the study of how economic processes shape society and history over time.

Interdisciplinary Nature of Political Economy

Political economy is an interdisciplinary field drawing from economics, sociology, and political science to explain how political institutions, political environments, and economic systems influence one another.

Simply put, political economy examines the relationship between politics and economics—how political policies influence economic activities and how economic conditions influence political decisions.

Political economy largely centers on the following:

• The role of government, class, and power relations in resource allocation within different economic systems, such as capitalism and socialism.
• The impact of economic factors on international relations.
• Economic models that explain political and exploitative class processes.

The relationship between politics and economics manifests practically through the actions of the state and the forces of the market.

Politics, Economy, and the State

Government policies and programmes can influence the economy and economic activities. Likewise, market forces can affect and influence government policies and programmes. This mutual influence often shapes stability, development, or conflict within a society.

Conflict

Conflict is a situation in which two or more incompatible ideas, interests, or actions attempt to exist or operate at the same time. It occurs when opposing behaviours or goals become mutually incompatible.

Conflict 

Conflict also arises when opposing actors act against one another, leading to reactions and counter-reactions. These opposing actions and responses constitute conflict.

Causes of Conflict

Many social science scholars believe that conflict is a human creation rather than a biological necessity. Different societies and individuals create conflict for different reasons. These causes include:

• Pride
•  Prestige
•  Revenge
• Quest for resources
• Communication gaps
• Beliefs
•  Aggression
•  Social systems
• Poverty
• Ideology
• Frustration and inequality

Types of Conflict

Conflict usually arises when there are differences in opinions, interests, or goals. Conflicts vary in nature and characteristics depending on the actors involved and the issues at stake.

Based on their characteristics, conflicts can be classified into different types.

Symmetrical Conflict

Symmetrical conflict refers to conflict between actors of similar strength, status, or capacity. It is called symmetrical because the opposing sides are relatively balanced.

• Examples: Conflict between Dangote and BUA (business competition), or conflict between students in the same class, where both parties share similar characteristics and capacities.

To be continued............. 

Conclusion

The political economy of conflict provides a useful framework for understanding how political power, economic interests, and social structures interact to generate conflict. By examining the role of the state, market forces, class relations, and resource distribution, political economy helps explain why conflicts emerge and how they can be managed or prevented within societies.