Task – ‘Open-source’ task. Theory – 10 point task – a ‘Open-source’ task. Find/identify main postulates of given great thinker/scholar [from Martin Griffiths

lewis alfred coser
Lewis Alfred Coser was a sociologist who made significant contributions to the field of conflict theory. His main postulates include the following:

1. 
   Conflict is an inherent and necessary part of society: Coser believed that conflict is not only a natural but also a necessary aspect of social life, as it helps to maintain the stability of society by allowing for the expression of diverse interests and values.
   
2. 
   Conflict creates and maintains social order: According to Coser, conflict creates and maintains social order by creating shared norms and values, resolving disputes, and allowing for the expression of dissenting opinions.
   
3. 
   Conflict can lead to social change: Coser argued that conflict can lead to social change by challenging existing power structures and forcing the reconsideration of social norms and values.
   

Illustration of events/cases in IR:

1. 
   The civil rights movement in the United States is a prime example of Coser's theory in action, as it was a conflict between African Americans and the dominant white culture that ultimately led to significant social change.
   
2. 
   The Arab Spring is another example of Coser's theory, as the widespread protests and uprisings in the Arab world were a result of conflict between the people and the existing power structures.
   
3. 
   The ongoing conflict between the United States and North Korea is an example of how conflict can create and maintain social order, as it has led to the creation of shared norms and values between the two countries, even as they remain in a state of disagreement over key issues.
   

georg simmel
Georg Simmel was a German sociologist, philosopher and cultural theorist who lived from 1858 to 1918. His main postulates in the field of International Relations (IR) include:

1. 
   The importance of individual actors in shaping global events: Simmel believed that individuals, rather than large institutions or systems, play a central role in shaping the course of history.
   
2. 
   The role of money in shaping human relationships: Simmel saw money as a key factor in shaping relationships between individuals and groups, and he believed that it could both facilitate and hinder human interactions.
   
3. 
   The impact of social differentiation on human relationships: Simmel argued that as societies become more complex, the nature of human relationships changes, leading to a growing differentiation of roles and social categories.
   

Relevant illustrations of events / cases in IR include:

1. 
   The role of individual entrepreneurs and innovators in shaping the global economy: Simmel's emphasis on the importance of individual actors can be seen in the way that individual entrepreneurs and innovators have transformed the global economy in recent decades, creating new industries and products that have changed the way we live and work.
   
2. 
   The impact of globalization on human relationships: Simmel's insight into the role of money in shaping human relationships is reflected in the way that globalization has created new opportunities for economic exchange, but also led to increased social differentiation and the growth of wealth disparities between different regions and countries.
   
3. 
   The growing differentiation of roles and social categories in the global system: Simmel's understanding of the impact of social differentiation on human relationships is evident in the increasing complexity of the global system, in which different actors play distinct roles in a rapidly changing and interconnected world.