Final answer:
In bands, conflicts are traditionally resolved through negotiations, cross-band relationships, and consensus, with elders and councils often playing a role in maintaining order.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conflicts within bands, or small kin-based groups typically of hunter-gatherer societies, are often settled through non-violent means due to the lack of formal political structures. These societies rely on social mechanisms such as negotiations, cross-band friendships, and marriages to maintain peace and manage conflicts. For example, when resources become scarce, a band may ask neighboring groups for permission to gather and hunt in their territories, a request usually granted due to inter-band relationships. Furthermore, tribal societies, though slightly bigger in scale, would employ extended family structures and councils which might include community elders, to facilitate conflict resolution. Such practices often aimed at achieving consensus to preserve harmony and productivity within the community.
Throughout history, some conflicts have been resolved through violence, which provided a temporary solution where the stronger party imposed their will. The underlying causes of such conflicts often involve competition over scarce resources. However, many gatherer-hunter societies have demonstrated that it is possible to maintain order and peace through non-violent methods, proving that strategies beyond brute force can be effective in resolving disputes.