Cyclic theory and social conflicts

Abstract

As one of the theories of social change, cyclic theory has not been a part of mainstream sociology. However, this does not mean that the ideas of the representatives of cyclic theory should be completely neglected and forgotten. In this paper the authors attempt to present and compare the views of P. Sorokin, A. Toynbee and O. Spengler on social conflicts, focusing on four issues: definition and classification of social conflicts, internal social conflicts (especially war), internal conflicts and the possibility of eliminating conflicts. In this comparative analysis, the emphasis is not only on sociological knowledge, but also on the ability of self-reflection and openness towards a view that is not 'purely' sociological.