They can quickly escalate to the point where thoughtful debate is lost amid rampant misunderstanding, fear, and threat. There is no doubt that both Omni-Tek and the Rebels recognize the destructiveness of this conflict, yet they view their causes as so important, or compromise as so unconscionable, that they continue to pursue the conflict even in the face of enormous loss of life and limited prospects for success. Stalemates and even non-discussion is rampant. The result is often the continuation of angry distrust which everyone views as highly undesirable. Given the destructiveness of these confrontations, it is easy to conclude that conflict itself is the problem.
Conflict can be a very good thing, however.
Conflict may be viewed as a process we put ourselves through to achieve a new condition and self definition. Through conflict we have opportunities to be creatively self-defining. If nothing else, conflict allows us to do things differently in the future. Through the resolution of conflict, we can, if we choose, evolve and redefine ourselves, our relationships, our community, our society and our world. We have no vested economic or political interest in helping bring about peace.