Conflict as the Accelerant of Social Change

Abstract

Even as humanity has advanced and become “civilized” over its existence, conflict clings to it in varying scopes and impacts. The changing power of war, conflict, and bloodshed stretches far and wide, from benefits like medical advancements to its numerous detriments of killing, destruction, and crimes against humanity. While most conflicts are regarded as tragedies and needless bloodshed, they still spur change through the actions taken during or after their occurrence. Some small-scale conflicts can spark massive social changes, such as the Wounded Knee Occupation of 1973. Other conflicts can lead to gradual changes in perception about war and its necessity, such as the Wars in Vietnam and Iraq. In my portfolio, I will examine conflict’s ability to accelerate social change through specific engagements, arguing that it can serve as a harsh but necessary tool for societies to advance and to right past wrongs.