An interesting example of this correlation is the workers' boycott of the Berlin breweries in 1894. This was one of the most violent local fights in recent decades, carried out with the utmost force by both sides, but without any personal hatred of the brewers by the leaders of the boycott, or of the workers by the business leaders. In fact, in the middle of the fight, two leaders of the two parties published their opinions of the struggle in the same periodical, both being objective in their presentations of the facts and hence agreeing on them, but differing, in line with their respective parties, on the practical consequences that were to be drawn from the facts. It thus appears that conflict can exclude all subjective or personal factors, thus quantitatively reducing hostility, engendering mutual respect, and producing understanding on all personal matters, as well as the recognition of the fact that both parties are driven on by historical necessities. At the same time, we see that this common basis increases, rather than decreases, the intensity, irreconcilability, and stubborn consistency of the fight.

XREF: This parallels the broader Simmelian argument about conflict producing integration and shared norms, linking to sociological theories of group solidarity through opposition.

DEFINE: Illustrates the distinction between objective/subjective factors and practical aims in conflict, showing hostility derives from opposing goals, not personal animus.

Georg Simmel, on individuality and social…, loc. 308