How would the sociological imagination be useful in understanding the conflict in the Middle East?

Question

How would the sociological imagination be useful in understanding the conflict in the Middle East?

Answer 1

We can imagine a solution which would benefit all sides of the conflict without worrying about the impossibility or impracticality of implementing the solution.

For example, we can imagine that the Palestinians and the Israelis could share religious sites which are embraced by both Islam and Christianity by allowing both types of services at different times of the day or week, and providing a formal mechanism for sharing in tourist and devotees' revenues which would be derived from an open and non-threatening environment around these religious shrines.

Answer 2

Well, right off it would make people directly involved in the conflict less suspicious of the motives of their mediators! Presently both sides are enraged, desparate and exhausted. They’re also unable to fully trust their peace brokers, e.g., many Palestinians see USA as clearly pro-Israel.

Besides neither side is clearly homogeneous, but peopled by subgroups who may approach issues as hardliners or moderates. The peace process takes one step forward and two steps back because perspectives are coloured by the past. Everybody want peace, but intense negative emotions arising over previous hurts/injustice create the resistance to change.

The sociological imagination would be aware that each group/subgroup in the mix is distinct from another in culture or ideology or economics. Each has it’s own internal dynamics and identity it operates by. The goals/objectives it tries to achieve are also different.

Any intervention needs to base on understanding the perceptions of the various groups/subgroups. That’s most useful in building the atmosphere of trust crucial to resolving conflict. When people become comfortable with one another, they’re less defensive and more able to communicate freely. They can also be encouraged to shift focus from being entrenched on their differences, to discovering similarities and common interests.