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Explanation of fighting as a form of competition - Strategies to Win Competitions. Also see fistfight, argument, psychological harm, injury, killing, humiliate, revenge, prize, reward, property, predatory, bully, war, hostile takeover, dispute, political, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Fighting as a Form of Competition
by Ron Kurtus (24 December 2005)
One form of head-to-head competition is when the two opponents fight each other, trying to inflict harm in the other person. Usually, it is a physical fight, but it also can be verbal, psychological or even financial. The motivation may be not only to feel superior but also to hurt the opponent. It may also be to win a prize or to force the opponent to give you a prize. Some fights are started as a predatory competition. Care must be used in ending the fight to avoid the opponent from seeking revenge in the future.
Questions you may have include:
- What are some types of head-to-head battles?
- What are some predatory fights?
- How should fights end?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Head-to-head battles
Competitors may agree to fight in a head-to-head battle. The competition is won when the loser gives in or is no longer able to fight.
Although a boxing match is a head-to-head fight, it is not included here since it is a sporting event with a set length and judges to determine the winner, unless there is a knockout.
Rivals have fistfight
Rivals may agree to have a fistfight to determine who is the better of the two. Two men may be fighting for the prize of the attention of a woman they both want to date. The winner is determined when the other gives up and cannot fight any further.
Spouses argue
Husband and wife may have an argument over where to go on a vacation. Finally one will give in and accept defeat. The winner gets his or her way, as well as showing who is superior on this issue.
Countries battle
Two countries may have a border dispute and decide to fight a war or battles to gain the property each wants. India and Pakistan had many such battles over land near their borders. Victory in the battle is when there are enough casualties on the losing side, such that they retreat and submit to the loss of land.
Predatory
In a predatory competition, one side attacks the other in order to gain a prize owned by the victim. Usually, the side that initiates the fight is stronger.
Bully picks on boy
A bully wants to pick on a smaller kid, not only to prove he is stronger but to also take the boy's lunch. The boy has a choice of giving in and letting the bully take what he wants, of trying to run away, or of fighting back.
If he tries to run away, it becomes a performance competition to see who can run the fastest. If the bully wins, he may take the lunch. If the boy wins, he has gotten away, he has shown he was a better runner, and he has kept his lunch.
If the boy fights back, it becomes a head-to-head battle. If the bully wins, he gets his prize. If the boy wins, he not only saves his lunch, but he has humiliated the bully.
Country attacks another
Before World War II, Germany attacked several neighboring countries. Germany had a stronger army and was acting like a bully in trying to prove the German people were superior, as well as to take the land that belonged to their neighbors. Poland fought back for a short time until they were overrun. Austria made the decision to capitulate and allow Germany to take over.
But then other countries such as the Soviet Union and Great Britain not only fought back, but then took the offensive in a head-to-head competition. Later, the United States joined the fray to defeat Germany in the war.
Company performs hostile takeover
Some large corporations have maneuvered stock purchases to take control of smaller companies they deemed as potential competitors. Often they would dismantle the company and essentially kill it off.
Ending the fight
The biggest problem with fights is the declaration of a winner. Usually the winner, in finishing the fight, must take care so that the loser does not seek revenge at a later time.
Personal fight
When a person gives up the winner must allow the loser to save face. The fight is over. One is the winner and one is the loser. Both will accept the fact.
Taunting or humiliating the loser is not good. Likewise, continuing to inflict harm after a person has given up is uncalled for. Humiliating or continuing to fight after the person has given up or is unable to fight back can often result in such anger by the loser that he will seek revenge.
Members of gangs often end a fight with killing the opponent. This is to assure he doesn't try to get revenge for a beating.
War
If the loser has been also humiliated after the battle, he will often seek revenge. After World War I, Germany felt they were humiliated with the terms of peace. They were especially angry at France. This anger and desire for revenge is what drove the Nazis to start the next war.
Predatory
With a predatory attack, the bully enjoys humiliating the victim. And the bully expects to do it again. This is true with individuals and with countries that make unprovoked attacks.
Summary
Two opponents may agree to fight each other, each trying to inflict harm in the other person. The fight can be physical, verbal, psychological or even financial. The motivation may be to feel superior and to gain a prize or reward. Some fights are started as a predatory competition. Care must be used in ending the fight to avoid the opponent from seeking revenge in the future.
Play by the rules
Resources
The following are resources on this subject.
Websites
Books
Top-rated books on Winning Competitions
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
1. What could happen in an intense political argument between two people?
2. How do people fight back when their country is overrun by a stronger neighbor?
3. What is worse than losing a fight?
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Winning Competitions. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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Fighting as a Form of Competition