PACS 4500

Senior Seminar inPeace and Conflict Studies

Section 001

Guy Burgess

The BDS Threat

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/02/11/opinion/cohen-the-bds-threat.html?from=opinion

The Precariat

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/02/11/opinion/brooks-the-american-precariat.html?referrer=

Heritage Foundation

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-the-heritage-foundations-policy-summit-had-few-new-ideas/2014/02/10/3ede95ee-92a0-11e3-84e1-27626c5ef5fb_story.html

Writing of the Unemployed

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/02/10/opinion/krugman-writing-off-the-unemployed.html

Austrians

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ej-dionne-jr-an-economic-school-has-led-to-gridlock-in-washington/2014/02/09/12de8df0-9020-11e3-b46a-5a3d0d2130da_story.html

D2L Gradebook Update

This Week

Required Reading to be discussed NEXT WEEK (reading reflections - RR4 - on this material are due noon, Monday Feb. 10.) Threaded Text narrative – familiarize yourself with the

system [Link to be added.] PACS2500 Review Wehr  "Conflict Mapping"  Shmueli "Conflict Assessment"  Link PACS2500 Review Lederach "Levels of Action" (Lederach's

triangle) PACS2500 Review Ury "The Third Side" Framing Questions include:

• What aspects of the Wehr, Shmueli, Lederach, and Ury readings seem to relate (and be useful) to your conflict (how and why)?

• What topics in the threaded text seem to be useful for your research -- and why?

Threaded Text

Piecing Together the Puzzle

Threaded Text I

Introduction Preliminary Considerations

Distinguishing Conflicts from Disputes Scale and Complexity Your Relationship to the Conflict / Dispute

Conflict Assessment and “Mapping” “Traditional” Conflict Assessment Graphical Conflict Mapping

Core Substantive Issues in Conflict Distributional Conflict Moral Conflict Status Conflicts Identity Conflicts Conflict as the Engine of Social Learning

Threaded Text II

Destructive Conflict Dynamics – And Constructive Responses Misunderstandings Destructive, Partisan Framing Spreading Disinformation Flawed Fact-Finding, Interpretation, and Utilization Escalation Violence Unrightable Wrongs Lack of Collective Purpose Lack of Future Vision Destructive Competition Over-Reliance on Coercive Power or “Power Over” The Profiteer / Spoiler Problem The Machiavelli Problem

Expandable Tree

RR #3 Comments

Nature of cause and effect Interdisciplinary versus multidisciplinary and University

bias in favor of disciplinary work Boulding – Sub-optimization – finding the best way to do

something that shouldn't be done Projects that are successful at the project level can be

counterproductive at the system level Overreaching Iraqi security details (Blackwater)

Dynamics behind micro macro paradox Big questions: What is the proper balance between

“central planning,” “unity of effort” projects and “thousand flowers bloom,” “massively parallel” (but still knowledgeable and well motivated) efforts

Peacebuilding’s market share of conflict interactions

RR #3 Comments

Nature of chaos – prepare to be surprised not dumbfounded

Mathematics of deteriorating predictions over time Adaptation and the cultural/social lag problem – how

does one speed the adaptation process while not over adapting (to fads)

Planning acting learning (PAL) basically an adaptation formula

Can we have a productivity revolution in peacebuilding by keeping the costs down – Common ground Third World outsourcing model Web- based information systems

Definition of peace, a decent society. Are they the same thing or different

RR #3 Comments

Discussion of the relationship between means and ends in the advisability of using means that are inconsistent with the ends

Is complexity or complicated-based thinking tied up in cause and effect

Disease pathology paradigm on an individual and the systemic level

GST understanding system components within the super system -- doesn't necessarily mean that you understand the super system

GST also notices that system dynamics are in many ways independent of the domain in which they operate Exponential growth, negative and positive feedback,

RR #3 Comments

PowerPoint syndrome “Power-play” and running out clock)

Organizational inertia embedded in things like the PowerPoint problem

Tom Ricks Called to investigate the generals who commanded Iraq and Afghanistan The Tommy Franks Fiasco story

The super spaghetti diagram – still have to understand an act on each arrow

From solutions focused to learning focused!!!! Informed choices – structure RFP processes so that

people have to get lots of people to say that what they are doing is useful – must deal with the competition problem

RR #3 Comments

Realist paradigm – playing the same destructive conflict as usual game well (or changing the game)

CAOCL training story For complexity look at something as simple as a football

and basketball our hockey or soccer game Academic debate vs. incorporating the best ideas into

your worldview (and not focusing on specific things to disagree with)

To what extent is it a level of effort problem rather than a type of thinking problem Can't fix these problems on the cheap

AInalysis paralysis and the danger of too much conflict mapping

Academic writing the danger of academic writing

Mapping Audience

The Parties – prepare your map to see if you are writing for the parties themselves (and not just your instructor). Include:Adversaries IntervenorsObservers

Optimal Information Levels

TMI: Too Much Information

The Goldilocks Point: Just the Right About of Information

Blindsided: Too little information

Drawing, Prezi, PowerPoint, Web

Pan & Zoom

Slideshow & HyperlinkWeb Site

2D Map

Simple (sort of) Two Dimensional Map

Real World Map

Source: “Some Streams of Systemic Thought,” International Institute for General Systems Studiesh/t: Bob Williams

Map Layers

Map Scale – Macro, Meso, Micro

Time Series

Key Mapping Project Features

Presentation sequence that will allow readers to “page through” your map in a logical order.

Hyperlinked “browse” capability that allows readers to go back and examine specific parts of your map in greater detail (including, for example, reading any paragraphs that you may have included or watching associated videos).

Include the following key elements: Parties and associated “attributes,” Issues and background information needed to understand the

“story,” Dispute history (with associated “power relationships”) Ricigliano’s structural, attitudinal, and transactional elements, Dynamics and feedback loops.

No Blueprints, Be Creative!

Power Point-Based Conflict Map

http://bit.ly/12n6t5I

Power Point-Based Conflict Map

Website-based Conflict Map

http://bit.ly/1a8lqPF

Prezi-Based Conflict Map

http://bit.ly/13Ixp6e

Prezi-Based Conflict Map

Prezi-Based Conflict Map

“You Are Here” Maps

You Are

Here

“Adopt-a-Highway” Maps

Info Graphics

http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/03/great-american-inequality-video

Infographics

Sheboygan, WI

The Interrupters

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/interrupters/

Group Facilitation

Select a facilitator Select a recorder Record ideas presented/discussed

Things we might contribute to the Interrupters

The importance of storytelling Strategies for promoting respect Strategies for overcoming misunderstandings Cooling-off periods Understanding the social dimensions of the problem Comparison with soldier demobilization The prominent role of elders Community policing Crisis response teams Trauma treatment hierarchy – application to

communities