Final answer:
Conflict is a broad term that describes any form of disagreement or opposition, whether internal within an individual or external between two parties, and can be a source of innovation or tension that drives narratives in literature and practical issues in social and political contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term conflict refers to any disagreement, opposition, or struggle between two entities, which can be individuals, groups, or states. The causes of conflict are varied, including differences in beliefs, values, opinions, and actions. Depending on the context, conflict can be internal, such as a conflict within an individual's morals or emotions, or external, like a struggle between two friends or political groups. A key point to remember is that conflicts are not always negative; they can facilitate growth, learning, innovation, and progress if managed effectively.
However, when conflicts remain unresolved, they can result in stress, decreased morale, and lost productivity. In stories or plays, conflicts are central to the narrative, often involving a primary character who faces obstacles in achieving a desired goal, which provides tension and drives the plot. In the realms of social and political science, conflicts might arise from cultural forces such as ethnicity, religion, language, and economics. Finally, on an international scale, conflicts can surface when policy decisions of one state adversely affect another, possibly leading to the need for dispute resolution or treaties.