Dangerous Idea

The Role of Beliefs in Causing or Constraining Disputes

The article discusses the roles of beliefs in causing or constraining disputes between people of different religions, ethnicities, and nationalities. Conflicts between groups have resulted in devastation, death, and displacement. The essay investigates the underlying beliefs of an individual and collective worldview of groups that operate with the intent of inciting violent conflict. Conflicts arise as a result of varying interpretations and understandings of events, which can lead to negative feelings or acts.

The Five Beliefs that Fuel Conflict

The essay delves into five distinct beliefs that fuel conflict among various tribes. This article discusses beliefs such as injustice, helplessness, distrust, superiority, and vulnerability (Eidelson and Eidelson, 183). The authors further consider each of the five beliefs both in group level manifestation and individual representation. According to the article, the parallel in the five specific beliefs between individual and group triggers or constrain conflict. For example, in the belief of helplessness, at individual belief, it results in lack of motivation while at the group-level worldview the belief of helplessness results to dependency and powerlessness of the group. The common perception of a group being helpless leads to organized political mobilization which eventually results in conflict (Eidelson and Eidelson 187-188).

Similarities and Differences between Collective and Individual Beliefs

Additionally, the article focuses on the similarities and the differences between collective and individual beliefs on the five specific beliefs identified. The framework that should be used in examining the roles of the five beliefs is by examining the role of each belief whether it constrain or trigger influence in group mobilization. Among the five belief, four of them triggers conflict, that is, vulnerability, superiority distrust and injustice while helplessness restrains conflict.

Work Cited

Eidelson, Roy J., and Judy I. Eidelson. “Dangerous Ideas: Five Beliefs That Propel Groups toward Conflict.” American Psychologist 58.3 (2003): 182-192.