Conflict is often a reality that most try to avoid. For many, it is a sign that something is wrong, that a mis-step has been made. In this article we consider an alternative view of conflict, noting that, in fact, the presence of conflict may be a sign that all is well. Using the philosophical work of Adam Phillips, Chantal Mouffe, and others we consider conflict as an essential process in both internal and external democracies. We close with a specific review of the ways conflict surfaces and can be navigated in the arts, software engineering and education, arguing that without conflict, we stifle creativity, learning, and democracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]