Social and economic aspects that can bring conflicts in societies
While I believe that the social aspect, entitlement, could be a source of conflict between an individual and his government, this is one aspect that any developed government would like to extend to its citizens. Such entitlements, for instance, housing and food are indicators of a government with a stable economy that is willing to alleviate its citizens from the economic burden. The essence is that the government is actually giving back to its hardworking citizens so that they shift focus on other aspects of development. Consequently, contrary to the student’s mindset, this would enhance economic growth as citizens concentrate on other aspects of development.
However, conflict may emanate from an ideal situation where the government promises to provide the entire basic needs of its citizens (Giddens and Duneier 23). As such, it would breed a lazy lot of citizens, and in the long run, it would not be able to sustain these entitlements, thus creating social conflicts. Nonetheless, the feasibility of having an ideal situation is highly unlikely because even the most established economies cannot provide, entirely, all the basic needs to its entire citizens. Moreover, there are a host of secondary needs that need to be fulfilled by an individual hence; one is likely to continue working hard in order to meet them. In a nutshell, entitlement as a social aspect is unlikely to cause conflict between the citizens and the state (US) in the current setting (Rummel 8).
With regards to immigration and the economic aspect, I have a feeling that a runaway situation is the one that can cause conflicts (Malesevic 2). This can only happen when the government is not keen on its economy and immigration policies. With a good economy and immigration policies, America’s situation, I believe immigrants are a blessing. They represent brain gain and create a consumer base in the US. This would further enhance development. As such, I don’t believe this can cause conflict in an economy such as the US.
Political, Religious, and cultural aspects that can bring conflicts in societies
Indeed, a political aspect that can result in a conflict pitting a government and an individual is war. War is one aspect that breeds animosity between the US and its citizens. Most citizens fear for their security in the aftermath of the war, the loss of their loved ones in the due course, and the economic impact of the war. For instance, recently, the US invaded Afghanistan with an aim of crushing down the al-Qaida terror group. To date, more than a decade on, the US army is still stationed there amid threats by al-Qaida on retaliatory attacks on the US. As such, the citizens back home are uncertain about their security, regret their lost loves, and question the economic aspect of the war. This has bred conflict between the government and its citizens. Nonetheless, the US has no option to this; it is a world superpower and hence, has to stamp its authority.
Religious conflict is a global thing that has roots tracing way back to the biblical era. The fiercest rivalry is that pitting the Christians and the Muslims. Though implicit, this is one aspect that is the war between the US and the Arab nations. Nonetheless, infighting within the two groups should not be underestimated. Recently, in the US, conflict emerged in the Anglican Church consequently splitting it into two groups following the gay marriage issue. This is one aspect that society should learn to live with it since it cannot be eliminated. On the other hand, though feasible, cultural conflicts are becoming less with the growth of metropolitans, and intermarriages. As such, they don’t offer much threat to a conflict.
Works Cited
Giddens, Anthony, and Duneier Mitchell. Introduction to sociology. New York: Norton & Company Ltd, 2009. Print.
Malesevic, Sinisa. The Sociology of War and Violence. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010. Print.
Rummel, Joel. Understanding Conflict and War. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2009. Print.