OPPOSITION 
127 
tion of the struggle, but rather the kind that leads to this 
termination. This tendency toward conciliation, which 
seeks to end the struggle apart from any objective grounds, 
is a specific sociological impulse. It is similar to the dis- 
position to quarrel apart from any objective grounds which 
promotes struggle. This tendency toward conciliation is 
not identical with the general peaceful disposition. The 
latter avoids strife under all circumstances and never fights 
without longing for peace. The spirit of conciliation, how- 
ever, often manifests itself most clearly immediately after 
a complete and most enthusiastic devotion to the struggle. 
[t is usually strongest after the fighting energies have spent 
themselves in full. 
Conciliation as resulting from subjective elements is 
relatively independent of the objective situation. It can 
occur after the complete victory of one party or in the mid- 
dle of an undecided struggle or after the successful ar- 
rangement of a compromise. On the other hand, the strug- 
gle may terminate in victory or compromise without the 
conciliation of the opponents. Moreover, the conciliation 
itself is to be distinguished from the situation which follows 
it. This may be either a relationship of attachment and 
alliance or a mutual avoidance of all positive contacts. 
Conciliation is therefore a subjective means of terminat- 
ing conflicts without reference to their probable outcome, 
be it victory or compromise. 
In the preceding pages different forms of conflict have 
been analyzed in their sociological aspects. It is evident 
from that analysis that a conflict is a synthesizing force. 
It means not only a synthesis between the contesting par- 
ties and a strengthening of the internal unity of opposing 
groups, but, in the form of competition, it also leads to a 
strengthening of the bonds between the opponents and the 
group as a whole. 
1 Soz., pp. 323-36.