Conflict of interest and value dissensus

Conflict of interest and value dissensus: propositions in the sociology of conflict

Conflict of interest between two parties is defined as a discrepancy between them in preferences for outcomes of decisions on the distribution of a scarce resource. The propositional format is used to highlight a series of interrelated processes that are presented as countervailing forces on the intensity of conflicts. Thus, Proposition 1 depicts an intensifying effect on conflicts that results from deriving conflict of interest positions explicitly from a value dissensus. Proposition 2 takes into account the structure of ideological parties as a moderating influence on conflict intensity while Proposition 3 describes a process of convergence of within-party differences that occurs through time resulting in conflicts that are more intense. Finally, Proposition 4 describes the moderating effects of cross-cutting loyalties which serves to mitigate against a conflict-intensifying spiral of ideological polarization and conflict of interest.