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The Global Insight

What is the main cause of conflict?

Author

Robert Miller

Updated on March 04, 2026

There are five main causes of conflict: information conflicts, values conflicts, interest conflicts, relationship conflicts, and structural conflicts. Information conflicts arise when people have different or insufficient information, or disagree over what data is relevant.

What is conflict and why it occurs?

Conflict occurs with two or more people who, despite their first attempts at agreement, do not yet have agreement on a course of action, usually because their values, perspectives and opinions are contradictory in nature. Conflict can occur: When your values and perspectives are threatened.

Why does conflict occur very short answer?

Conflicts occur when people of different cultures, religions, regions, or economic background do not get along with each other, or when some among them feel they are being discriminated against. This leads to fear and tension among others living in an area.

What are the causes and outcomes of conflict?

Conflict has many causes, including organizational structures, limitations on resources, task interdependence, goal incompatibility, personality differences, and communication challenges. Outcomes of well-managed conflict include increased participation and creativity, while negatives of poorly managed conflict include increased stress and anxiety.

When do conflicts arise between individuals and groups?

Conflict happens when individuals or groups do not meet their needs and when they do not find satisfaction to their own wants or self-interest. Conflict can be internal when the conflict is only within the individual; it is external if it is between two or more individuals or between groups.

Which is the root cause of conflict in the world?

Malthus, the eminent economist says that reduced supply of the means of subsistence is the root cause of conflict. According to him, conflict is caused by the increase of population in geometrical progression and the food supply in arithmetical progression.

When do conflicts arise, is it internal or external?

Conflict can be internal when the conflict is only within the individual; it is external if it is between two or more individuals or between groups. Some people are not aware of the need and react negatively toward the situation unconsciously.