Social Conflicts as Pillars of Democratic Market Society

This chapter extols the virtues of bargaining, tension, and conflict as means to experiment and compromise—without leading to false consensus or conformity. Whereas much of social theory sees conflict and instability as debilitating, Hirschman spotlights their necessary strengths; these, the chapter argues, offer pathways to new ways of organizing societies and living democratically. Politics, for Hirschman, is thus an art; like Machiavelli he believes that one's loyalties come from a political life and do not precede it. Furthermore, the chapter cautions against the danger for a group of people to become fascinated with the idea of, or with the passion or Schwärmerei (enthusiasm) for, community spirit.