________________
Causes Of Social Conflicts -
Every society can be either homogeneous or heterogeneous. The societies with its members from same caste and creed and that exhibit similar attitudes, interests and dispositions are said to be homogeneous and those that have members belonging to different castes and creeds, that exhibit varying attitudes, interests and dispositions are said to be heterogeneous. We can well infer that it is the heterogeneous societies that are more prone to social conflicts rather than the homogeneous ones. However, there may be occasions when even the homogeneous societies also suffer pangs of social conflict. The causes of social conflict can be grouped under the following heads:
A. In Heterogeneous Societies -
(i) Religious intolerance,
(ii) Intolerance for different social customs, (iii) Lack of appreciation for different views,
(iv) Racial and cultural differences,
(v) Exploitative and expansionist attitudes of some social groups, etc.
B. In Homogeneous Societies
(i) Sectarian views and ambitions,
(ii) Conflicts arising out of property and possession disputes or those over wealth and women,
(iii) Personal vanities and ambitions,
(iv) Passional dispositions of individuals and leaders,
etc.
When we have a look at these causes of social conflict, it dawns upon us that none of these causes are irremediable and that these can be resolved with due application and sincerity on the part of the individuals and the leaders of the societies concerned. In what follows we will be able to see and appreciate that sincerely applied and followed the Jaina precepts have the
JAINISM AND SOCIAL HARMONY: 341