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AP-
OPPOSITION
18
action between individuals and, as such, a form of socializa-
tion.
Struggles and conflicts have a positive sociological sig-
nificance in contrast with dissolutions and repudiations of
socialization, which are both negative. An antagonism be-
tween elements may arise from different subjective im-
pulses, wants, desires, envies, or hatreds. But once the
antagonism has arisen, the function of the actual struggle
or conflict is to overcome the existing dualism and to arrive
at some form of unity, even if it involves the destruction of
one of the parties. The conflict itself is but the resolution
of the tension between the two elements. That a conflict
eventually terminates in a peace, either in the form of co-
ordination or in the form of subordination, is only the ob-
vious expression of the fact that it is a special form of syn-
thesis between elements. It is a higher concept which con-
tains and implies both union and opposition.
The positive sociological function of tension and repul-
sion is most clearly manifest in social structures which con-
sist of a hierarchy of classes. The caste system of India
does not derive its form solely from the internal coherence
of elements within each caste, but also from the external re-
pulsion between castes. The opposition and enmity be-
tween them prevent the gradual disappearance of the class
boundaries and are therefore positive contributing factors
in the preservation of the existing structure. But opposi-
tion does not merely function as a means to the preserva-
tion of a total system of relationships. In many forms of
socialization it is an integral part of the relationshin itself.
This is illustrated by the function of opposition, aversion,
and antipathy in certain types of relationship.
Ovnosition between elements within an association is
not merely a negative factor. It is often the only means of
maintaining associations which would otherwise be unen-
