The Inevitability of Conflict: A Philosophical Perspective on Class Struggle

By WPS News Political Correspondent
Baybay City | July 3, 2025

In the contemporary landscape of American politics, we find ourselves grappling with a profound imbalance of power. The growing divide between the ruling class and the “peasant masses,” as some might describe the working populace, raises pressing questions about the future of our democratic institutions. As history has shown, when systemic channels for resolving conflicts are blocked, the specter of war or violent conflict looms large.

Philosophers throughout history have examined the relationship between power, class, and conflict. Karl Marx famously posited that class struggle is the motor of history. In his view, the bourgeoisie, or ruling class, would eventually meet the force of the proletariat—the working class—resulting in revolution. This framework is increasingly relevant today, as economic disparity and perceived injustices fuel discontent among a populace feeling ignored and marginalized by those in power.

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel offers another essential perspective. He viewed conflict as a necessary mechanism for societal progress. According to Hegel, the friction between classes, values, and ideas leads to a synthesis that propels society forward. However, when the ruling class operates under the belief that they have an unassailable right to govern, they create an environment where the oppressed feel they have no recourse but to resist violently.

The insights of Thomas Hobbes also resonate in our current state. In his seminal work “Leviathan,” Hobbes presented the notion that humanity’s natural state is one of chaos and competition. Without a strong, fair authority, we devolve into a state of conflict. Today, many feel that the institutions designed to represent their interests have become instead tools of the elite, further entrenching inequality and breeding resentment.

In this landscape, philosophers like Friedrich Nietzsche remind us that conflict is intrinsic to human existence. Struggle, for Nietzsche, is essential for growth and the emergence of new values. The prevailing sentiment among many disenfranchised individuals is that drastic measures are necessary to effect change, as participation in the existing system proves futile.

Indeed, the history of revolutions—be it the French Revolution, the Russian Revolution, or even the more recent Arab Spring—demonstrates how populations reaching a boiling point often resort to conflict when their grievances are ignored. The ruling class, in believing it can govern without accountability, often fails to recognize the dangers of systemic exclusion, a perilous oversight that can lead to societal upheaval.

However, it is essential to question whether violence is the only recourse left to the marginalized. Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance stands as a powerful counter-narrative. Gandhi showed that organized, peaceful protest can yield significant change, even against oppressive regimes. But the effectiveness of such methods hinges on the willingness of the ruling class to engage meaningfully with dissent.

As we confront rising tensions in today’s political climate—one where systemic inequalities abound and public trust in institutions wanes—we must consider whether we are barreling toward conflict. The wisdom of past philosophers serves as a guide: unless avenues for addressing grievances are opened and the voices of all citizens are valued, the cycle of oppression and resistance will inevitably repeat itself.

Now more than ever, we must actively seek nonviolent solutions, promote inclusive governance, and challenge the notion that power belongs solely to an elite class. Dialogue, empathy, and reform are necessary to bridge the divide between the powerful and the powerless—because if we fail, we may find ourselves in a landscape defined by conflict.