OPPOSITION

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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 disposition
 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, however,
 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 middle
 of an undecided struggle or after the successful arrangement
 of a compromise. On the other hand, the struggle
 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 terminating
 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 parties
 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.