Loading...
Publication
Conflict resolution interventions in the conflict cycle
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The objective of this article is to describe the Conflict Resolution interventions used throughout the
conflict cycle. The article first presents five levels of conflict intensity of the conflict cycle, namely
the levels of Stable Peace, Unstable Peace, Conflict, Crisis, and War. Each level of conflict intensity
is characterized by analyzing the variables of Galtung's conflict triangle (behavior, attitudes, and
goals), actors' perceptions (friend, rival, and enemy), and the dominant strategy of interaction between
actors (positive-sum, compromise, zero-sum, and negative-sum). Each level is illustrated with typical
events associated with civil wars and wars between states and proposes threshold events of a possible
change in the level of conflict intensity. The article then presents a set of Conflict Resolution
approaches that can be carried out in each of the conflict intensity levels of the escalation and de escalation periods of the conflict cycle. Conflict Resolution is subdivided between interventions whose
main objective is to contain violent conflict, here called Conflict Management, and interventions with
a main objective of solving political problems, which can be Conflict Prevention, if they occur in the
period of conflict escalation, or Conflict Termination, if they occur in the period of conflict de escalation. In Conflict Management we identify the interventions of: Crisis Management; Unilateral
and Joint Internal Management; External Management in the form of Peacemaking or Peace
Enforcement, and Traditional Peacekeeping. In Conflict Prevention we identify Structural and Direct
Prevention. In Conflict Termination we identify Multidimensional Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding and
Peace Consolidation (associated to Conflict Transformation). Additionally, we present two alternative
approaches, Cosmopolitan Peace and Critical Approaches.
Description
Keywords
War Conflit Resolution Political problems Conflit Management Peace Building
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Sousa, Ricardo Real P. de; and Gilberto Carvalho de Oliveira (2021). "Conflict resolution interventions in the conflict cycle". Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão – CEsA/ CSG Documentos de Trabalho nº 185/ 2021
Publisher
Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão - CEsA - CSG