Final answer:
Societies settle conflicts through various methods such as governmental intervention, political bargaining, brute force, and informal discussions leading to consensus. Centralized societies have more formalized systems of governance to resolve disputes. Social theorists like Marx, Weber, and Simmel have studied the impacts of conflict on societal change and stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Societies resolve conflicts in various ways depending on their cultural, political, and social frameworks. From the imposition of governmental restrictions in societies prioritizing the common good to informal community-led discussions in acephalous societies, the resolution process can significantly differ. Generally, political bargaining is common in negotiating the status quo and managing disputes. However, throughout history, conflict has also been resolved through brute force, where the powerful impose their will on others.
As societies grow and become more centralized, the mechanisms to settle conflicts become more formalized through laws, regulations, and organized governance structures. Karl Marx and other sociologists like Max Weber and Georg Simmel have emphasized the role of conflict in shaping societies, including its potential to bring about more egalitarian social structures or to strengthen societal bonds and reduce discord.