Johan Galtung, in his analysis of conflict dynamics, not only focused on acts of violence themselves but also delved into the social context in which they occur. He developed the concept of social formations to describe how societies are structured in ways that either facilitate or hinder the emergence, escalation, or transformation of conflicts. This concept helps us understand how structures, cultures, and actors interact within a given social context, creating a fertile ground for either violence or peace.

According to Galtung, a social formation consists of four main elements:

Actors: These are the individuals, groups, or institutions involved in social interaction. They can be primary actors (directly involved in the conflict), secondary actors (who influence the conflict), or tertiary actors (who intervene to facilitate resolution).

Structures: These include institutions, norms, laws, and power relations that organize society. They can be economic, political, social, or cultural structures. Some structures are more conducive to violence than others, such as those that generate inequality, exclusion, or repression.

Culture: This refers to the values, beliefs, norms, symbols, and ideologies shared by members of a society. Culture can legitimize or delegitimize violence, influencing the attitudes and behaviors of actors.

Conflict (or harmony): This is the central dynamic of social formation. There can be manifest, latent, or nonexistent conflicts. Harmony, on the other hand, is characterized by cooperation, respect, and the absence of violence.

The interaction between these four elements shapes the dynamics of a social formation. Galtung argues that certain configurations are more conducive to violence than others. For example, a social formation characterized by:

• Actors with incompatible interests.
• Structures that generate inequality and exclusion.
• A culture that legitimizes violence.

It will have a high probability of experiencing violent conflicts. On the contrary, a social formation characterized by:

• Actors with converging interests.
• Structures that promote equity and inclusion.
• A culture that values peace and non-violence.

It will have a higher probability of experiencing harmony and cooperation.

Galtung also introduces the concept of social formations in transition. These are formations that are undergoing deep changes in their structures, cultures, or actors, which can generate instability and increase the risk of conflict. Transitions can be towards democracy, towards a market economy, towards independence, or towards other social, political, or economic changes. The way these transitions are managed can determine whether they lead to violence or peace.

The analysis of social formations allows us to understand the context in which conflicts develop and design more effective intervention strategies. By acting on structures, cultures, and actors, social formations can be transformed in ways that are more conducive to peace and less to violence.

In summary, Galtung’s concept of social formations provides us with a valuable tool for understanding the complexity of social dynamics and for designing transformation strategies that address the root causes of conflicts, aiming to build more just, equitable, and peaceful societies.

Johan Galtung (born in 1930) is a Norwegian sociologist and mathematician recognized as one of the founders of peace and conflict studies. His work has been fundamental in understanding the dynamics of violence, peace, and development in the international sphere.