February 4,2002 1

Definition of Conflict

• Conflict is a social process when two or more parties perceive a divergence of interest or incompatible goals or values

• Subjective side: processes of perception, cognition, communication, emotion

• Behavioral interaction between the parties• Multiple levels of analysis (interpersonal, group,

intergroup, organizational, international, and global)

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February 4,2002 2

Conflict:

• Requires at least two parties (individual, group, organization, states,etc.=Actors)

• Sources-Economic c.-scarce resources (territory)-real conflict of interest (position and interest)

- Value c.-incompatible preferences and principles-perception (needs)

- Power c.- each party wants to maximize its influence over the other.

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February 4,2002 3

ConflictRothman, Jay, 1997, p.17

• Identity-based– Needs and values

(frustration over such needs as identity, security& recognition

– Intangible (psychology, history, culture, worldview)

– Interactive (dialogue about needs)

• Resource-based– Resources (competition

over material and territorial interests)

– Tangible (socioeconomic factors, resource scarcity

– Transactive (interest-based bargaining)

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February 4,2002 4

A Conflict Structure involves:

• Situation: actual or perceived underlying incompatible goals(conflict of interest or relationship)

• Attitude: parties’ perceptions and misperceptions of each other- include feeling (emotive), belief (cognitive), and will (conative)

• Behavior: cooperation or coercion. Violent conflict behaviors are threats, coercion, destructive attacks.

• Conflict is a dynamics process where S, A, and B are constantly changing and influencing each other

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February 4,2002 5

Interpersonal conflict

• Destructive or constructive • Communication• Interdepence• Self-esteem• Power dynamics• Cultural dynamics (high and low-context cultures)• Gender identity• Religion• Emotions• Preferences and orientations

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February 4,2002 6

Types of goals in Conflict

• Content-what do we want?

• Relational- who are we to each other?

• Identity or Face-saving-who am I in this interaction?

• Process-what communication process will be used?

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February 4,2002 7

International conflict

• Interstate c.• Intrastate c.- revolution/ideology c.: to change the

nature of the state (system- capitalist/socialist, government-dictatorship/democracy, religious-secular/islamic)

- identity/secession c:the integrity of the state (the relative status of ethnic groups)

- Factional c: the control of the state- the competing interests or power struggles of factions (autonomy, secession, control)

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February 4,2002 8

Violence

• Direct violence: children are murdered• Structural violence: children die through

poverty• Cultural violence: whatever blinds us to this

or seek to justify it• Armed conflict- both parties use of force• Violent conflict- physical violence against

unarmed civilians

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February 4,2002 9

C-Series

• C. Prevention: Crisis management• C. Settlement: an agreement in an armed c. To put

an end violent stage.• C. Management (regulation): limitation,

mitigation, containment• C. Resolution: deep-rooted sources of conflict are

addressed and resolved.• C. Transformation: To transform unjust

relationships, parties, and situation.

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