Order inside groups mirrors the same mutual-restraint mechanism as between groups

Evidence

Superiority, subordination, competition, division of labor, formation of parties, representation, inner solidarity coupled with exclusiveness toward the outside, and innumerable similar features are found in the state as well as in a religious community, in a band of conspirators as in an economic association, in an art school as in a family. However diverse the interests that give rise to these sociations, the forms in which the interests are realized are identical. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 198 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Since discord unfolds its negative, destructive character between particular individuals, we naively conclude that it must have the same effect on the total group. In reality, however, something which is negative and damaging between individuals if it is considered in isolation and as aiming in a particular direction, does not necessarily have the same effect within the total relationship of these individuals. For a very different picture emerges when we view the conflict in conjunction with other interactions not affected by it. The negative and dualistic elements play an entirely positive role in this more comprehensive picture, despite the destruction they may work on particular relations. All this is very obvious in the competition of individuals within an economic unit. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 280 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Identical interaction forms recur across radically different social groups — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 198; Conflict destructive at one level can integrate the larger group — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 280; Gang leaders command obedience through expected mutual punishment coordination — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 188 (+2 more)

Related

• Conflict destructive at one level can integrate the larger group (similarity 0.86)
• More cooperation is not always desirable across all groups. (similarity 0.84)
• The ruler-ruled division reproduces inside every group, including homogeneous ones (similarity 0.83)
• Identical interaction forms recur across radically different social groups (similarity 0.81)
• A party can function as a general ideology superintending scattered rival groups (similarity 0.80)
• Governing corrodes the group cohesion that enabled a group to rule (similarity 0.79)
• Attempts to eliminate intergroup competition feed back and can fuel further conflict. (similarity 0.79)
• Any social group can act as individual or aggregate depending on its relational frame. (similarity 0.79)
• The state recovered lost social direction by constructing a unified internal enemy (similarity 0.78)
• A shared external reference point unifies otherwise isolated elements into a group (similarity 0.78)
• Structural inequality does not inevitably produce group conflict (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Identical interaction forms recur across radically different social groups #corroborates (0.85) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 198
• Conflict destructive at one level can integrate the larger group #corroborates (0.75) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 280