RD300Lecture #1

The Nature of Conflict

29 August 2001

What is CONFLICT?

• A term used to mean a variety of things.

• A struggle over values and claims to scarce status, power and resources in which the aims of the opponents are to neutralize, injure or eliminate their rivals.

• The opposition between individuals or groups on the basis of competing interests, different identities, and /or differing attitudes.

Every conflict is set in a context.

You cannot resolve a conflict without understanding its context.

Conflict resolution methods must be melded to the specific context.

Resolving conflict is not a simple matter.

Some conflicts last for generations (e.g. ethnic wars).

Conflicts may involve:

• Individuals

• Groups

• Institutions

Categorizing Conflict

1 Conflicts in which the parties have failed to recognize a solution. These are amenable to traditional and alternative dispute resolution methods.

2 Intractable or deep-rooted conflicts. Very difficult to resolve. Typically involve deep feelings and values and often have extended histories (e.g. Northern Ireland).

Perceived Conflict

• “Conflict does not only come about when values or needs are actually, objectively incompatible, or when conflict is manifested in action; it exists when one of the parties perceives it to exist” (Tillett, 1991, p.8).

The Value of Conflict

• How one views conflict depends largely upon how conflict is valued.

• Schelling (1980) distinguished between:“those that treat conflict as a pathological state

and seek its causes and treatment, and those that take conflict for granted and study the behavior associated with it” (p.3).

A society without conflict is a dead society (Coser, 1957).

Agree or disagree?

Is Conflict Bad?

• Stimulates new thoughts.

• Promotes social change.

• Defines group relationships and boundaries.

• May prevent withdrawl of group members.

• Creates new associations and coalitions.

• Helps form our sense of personal identity.

• Many nation states were forged through bitter social conflict.

What is the nurture versus nature debate regarding conflict?

The Origins of Conflict

• Three basic theory types:

– Inherency - biological/genetic basis, cannot be prevented.

– Contingency - external forces influence behavior.

– Interactionist - behavior depends upon inherent and contingent factors.

• Question: What is the most common institutional method employed in an effort to resolve conflicts and disputes?

• Question: Why do we need additional methods for resolving conflicts?

Three Traditions of Conflict Resolution

• Organizational development and management science;

• International relations; and

• Alternative dispute resolution.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

• A set of procedures and processes designed to provide alternatives to adjudicated settlement of conflicts.

• ADR - Popular approaches to resolving environmental disputes.

Questions to Ask About a Specific Conflict

• Is this a good conflict?

• What are the sources of this conflict?

• Do the skills and resources required for resolution exist?

• Is there a desire to engage in resolution?

Cultural Considerations

• Western methods of conflict resolution may not be appropriate or effective in other cultures.

BRAINSTORMING

• A small group activity.

• Produce as many ideas as quickly as possible.

• Emphasis on quantity not quality.

• No criticism of ideas when given.

• Build on other people’s ideas.

• Nominate a recorder of the group’s ideas.

How many causes or sources of environmental conflicts can you

identify?

Work in your group for 10 minutes.

Who is your recorder/reporter?

Remember: No censuring of ideas!