Role of conflict: Conflict has always captured the attention of the people and the society. As other forms of social interaction, it has both positive and negative effects. Conflict both terminates and commences to serve the interests of man in society. Cooley maintained “Conflict of some sort is the life of society, and progress emerges from a struggle in which each individual, class or institutions seeks to realize its own ideals of good”.

Lewis A. Coser, in his work “The functions of conflict”, has also analyzed the role of conflict in promoting unity in detail. Thus, the above discussion about the role of conflict may be summed up as given below, Conflict determines the status of the individual in the social organization. Rivalry, war and other forms of personal struggle determine superiority and subordination of men and groups.

Conflict is not always an unmitigated evil everywhere as it is generally assumed. It is a chief role in the development and spread of culture.

Conflict may eventuate in the peace through victory of one contestant over others.

Conflict helps to define social issues and brings about a new equilibrium of contending, forces. It may lead to the working out of non-violent techniques for resolved at least for a time.

Conflict keeps groups alert to members interests. Conflict generates new norm and new institutions. It happens mostly in economic and technological realms. Economic historians often have pointed out that much technological improvement has resulted from the conflict activity of trade unions.

Conflict within and between bureaucratic structures provides means of avoiding the ossification and ritualism which threatens their form of organization.

Conflict leads not only to over-changing relations within the existing social structure, but the total system undergoes transformation through conflict. Conflict between vested interests and the new strata and groups demanding share of power, wealth and status have proved to be productive of vitality.