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CHAPTER THREE
CAUSES OFCONFLICT 
There are several causes of conflict however, these can largely be classified under a limited 
number of headings ranging from land disputes, politics, religious and cultural differences 
distribution and the use of resources, individual differences, structural causes, clashes of interest, 
change, data collection etc. Most conflicts are caused by combination of factors and it is very 
difficult, in most case to-highlight the dominant and less dominant causes. Malthus the eminent 
economist suggested that, reduced supply of the means of sustenance is the root cause of conflict. 
To him conflict is caused by the increase of population in geometrical progression and food supply 
in arithmetical/progression. According to Charles Darwin, the biological principles of "struggle 
for existence" and the survival of the; fittest are the main causes of conflict.
Other psychologist hold the view that the innate instinct for aggression in man is the main 
causes of conflict. Thus, there are various structural imbalance and several causes of conflict, 
which can be categorized into the following sources in discourse of this book 
(a) Conflicts may occur due to resources. These conflicts erupt when two or more parties aspire 
for scarce resources. The region is now baptized with environmental degradation, catastrophic 
increase via inter communal crisis, insurgency and counter insurgency, political exclusion and 
structural backwardness example Congo DR. 
(b) Conflicts may take place as a result of Psychological needs: The psycho-dynamic perspective, 
probes the basis of conflicts in unconscious human- need, in this case conflict arises due to 
psychological needs that cannot be seen, in" principle which are psychological in nature as they 
involve a mental phenomenon within an emotional frame work. Through different dimension of 
perceptions; intrapersonal perceptions, interpersonal perceptions. and the perception of situation/ 
environment, the input of average workers are affected in multi-dimension airways, as a result of 
psychological needs which affect the entire system where labour is disarticulated. Conflicts-may 
erupt due to' values: Value includes philosophy, religion and. ideology among others.
The Values describe our personalities, our potentials and shortcomings even our down-
lows. In Nigeria, religious crises have been a great problem. The main problem is not the 
differences in the religious practice's but the conduct, lack of tolerance and the 'operation of various 
religious classifications are the problem.
Conflicts may' emerge resulting from mismanagement of information:

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Information plays a vital role in, the conduct of human and organizational interactions or 
relationship information if not well manage can generate conflict situation. The way an average 
informed person perceives things will definitely be different from the way an uninformed 
individual will behave on a specific issue at a given time. Even though it-is said that conflict is 
inevitable, but we should as a matter of fact improve our communication and perception, and 
channel enough resources to renounce or discourage violent and conflict.