CSP - lecture 1

Conflict

A situation in which two or more parties perceive incompatible goals, interests, or values, and feel that these differences are important enough to justify the use of force or coercion to achieve their objectives.

Conflict resolution studies

The interdisciplinary field of study that seeks to understand the causes and dynamics of conflicts, and to develop effective strategies for resolving them.

Causes of conflict

• Background causes

• Root causes

• Underlying causes

• ‘Structural’ causes

Hourglass model

A conceptual framework used to analyse the causes of civil war. Civil wars are the result of a convergence of two sets of factors: structural and triggering.

Structural factors (hourglass model)

Refer to the underlying conditions that make a society susceptible to conflict, such as economic inequality, social exclusion, and political marginalization.

Triggering factors (hourglass model)

The specific events or actions that ignite the conflict, such as the assassination of a political leader or an outbreak of communal violence.

Conflict triangle

A model that identifies three basic elements of a conflict: attitudes, behaviour, and contradictions. According to Galtung, the resolution of a conflict requires addressing all three elements.

Conflict triangle - elements

• Attitude

• Behaviour

• Contradiction

Attitude (conflict triangle)

Refers to the perceptions, beliefs, and emotions that people hold about each other (cultural violence).

Behaviour (conflict triangle)

Refers to the actions people take that may exacerbate or resolve the conflict (direct violence).

Contradiction (conflict triangle)

Refers to the underlying issues or interests that are in conflict (structural violence).

Latent conflict

A conflict that exists in a potential or underlying form, but has not yet emerged as open conflict.

Reasons to look at the causes of a conflict

• To prevent or deal with conflict, we need to understand what conflict is about.

• After a peace negotiation has been signed, underlying causes of conflict can remain.

Aim of conflict resolution

To transform actually or potentially violent conflict into peaceful (non-violent) process of social and political change. This is an unending task as new forms and sources of conflict arise.