Experience of Sociological Analysis of Proneness to Conflict in Regional Communities

Abstract

The paper studies the phenomenon of proneness to conflict in the regional society of the Russian Federation, particularly in Altai Krai. In addition, the paper presents a theoretical and empirical sociological analysis of proneness to conflict in local society as a complicated social phenomenon. The authors emphasize the relevance of the sociological study of such social phenomena and processes. The paper gives the authors’ definition of the concept of proneness to conflict in society. It also reveals the forms of proneness to conflict manifestation in current conditions. More than that, the authors establish the destructive and constructive functions of proneness to conflict in the regional society. “Constructive” proneness to conflict in work is understood as the possibility of realizing the positive potential of interaction between conflicting subjects. In addition, the authors reveal the forms and levels of proneness to conflict manifestation in the regional society. The reasons for the emergence of proneness to conflict in the regional society are empirically established. The paper examines the features of conflict in the framework of various social actors’ joint activities in society. The experience gained in studying conflict as a social phenomenon has allowed one to expand the range of its manifestations, the consideration of which is essential for its adequate assessment and management. The authors present the data of a sociological study on this topic conducted by them in 2018–2020. The following components of proneness to conflict in the region are analyzed—the assessment of the current social situation in society, people’s satisfaction with their living conditions, the frequency of social conflicts in citizens’ lives, the spheres of life in which such conflicts most often occur. As it turned out in the course of the study, proneness to conflict in the regional society is one-time and situational in nature and is entirely preventable and regulated. The authors conclude that the lack of management of conflict processes in society can lead to the most unfavorable social consequences. The study allows one to gain the necessary experience in studying the problem of proneness to conflict in society.