The Place of Disorder and the trasformation of Social Conflict

This contribution deals with the transformation of social conflict in complex and globalised societies in order to better grasp landscape conflicts as a specific manifestation of a more general phenomenon. A 'neo-pragmatist' perspective is adopted that focuses on pluralistic worldviews and the recognition of contingency, and is normatively oriented towards open and democratic negotiation processes. The chosen approach links conflict and solidarity: how are the dynamics of conflict and social bonds building transformed? The challenge is precisely to be able to empirically grasp how new social bonds are generated, which may be more or less exclusive or inclusive, which may lead to mutual recognition and dialogue between the actors involved, which conflicts are potentially productive of change that bring new subjectivities and interests into play to be incorporated into social change, not tearing apart but rather consolidating solidarities, and which other conflicts are socially disruptive.