Concepts of Peace and Conflict Studies REVISION NOTES

Overview:
- Concepts of peace, violence and conflict
- Meaning of peace in different political traditions and religions
- Conflict dynamics (e.g. Galtungs conflict triangle)
- Parties in conflict: positions, needs and interests.

- Dictionary definitions of peace, conflict and violence

- Concepts of peace and conflict as defined in social siences
(for both check file: Lesson 0 - Concepts of Peace, Conflict and Violence introduction)
* Conflict
Defined as: situation in which two or more parties understand that their interests are incompatible
and thus express hostile attitudes (pursue their interests through actions that damage the other
parties)
- Concept of interests; can be over:
Resources territory, money, energy sources, food and its distribution.
Power allocation of control and participation in political decision-making
Identity cultural, social, political communities to which people feel tied
Status whether people believe they are treated with respect and dignity, if their traditions
and social position are respected
Values systems of government, religion or ideology.
- Destructive (leading to violence and war) and Constructive (leading to positive positive social
change and peace with justice) conflict - (according to Morton Deutch)
*Violence
(as defined by the World Health Organization) - the intentional use of physical force or power,
threatened or actual, against a person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has
a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation
- Categorizations of violence - according to those who commit it: self-directed, interpersonal,
collective; according to the nature of violent acts: physical, sexual, psychological, deprivation or
neglect
- Direct (personal) violence (insulting basic needs of others) and indirect (structural and cultural)
violence (exploitation, fragmentation, marginalization ); (according to Johan Galtung)
*Peace
- Negative (absence of direct violence) and positive peace (absence of structural violence);
(according to Johan Galtung)
(check file: Positive and Negative Peace)
* Meaning of peace in different political traditions and religions
- Existance of Golden Rule principle in different religions (check file: Religious concepts of peace and
violence)
- Influence of religion on ethical system and politics
* Conflict dynamics
- Continuum from Harmony to War:
Harmony Durable peace Stable peace Unstable peace Crisis War
Harmony relationship between communities and nations in which there is virtually no conflict of
interests

Durable peace lasting peace, positive peace or just peace. There is a high level of cooperation
and parties value overall relationship more than specific self-interests. Conflicts of interests are
worked out through peaceful settlement mechanisms and there is no need for military force to be
used.

Stable peace cold peace. There is only a limited communication and cooperation. There is mutual
respect and general absence of violence. Differences exist, but groups compete following accepted
rules and disputes are generally worked out without violence. Violent conflicts are possible but very
unlikely.

Unstable peace cold war. There is tension and existing suspicion among parties. There is sporadic
violence. Levels of tension rise and fall and parties maintain ready armed forces.

Crisis There is tense confrotation between mobilized armed forces. There are threats and
occasional skirmishes, but no use of extensive force. There is high probability of war.

War All-out fighting between organized armed forces.

- Conflict escalation: vertical (hostile behaviour becomes more intense) and horizontal (hostile
behaviour of the same intensity spreads over a larger area)
- Conflict triangle (by Johan Galtung): Structures Attitudes Behaviours
(check file: Conflict Analysis (Pearson College)
* Parties in conflict: positions, needs and interests
- Parties primary, secondary, third party
Primary parties - those who oppose one another, are using fighting behavior, and have a
direct stake in the outcome of the conflict.
Secondary parties - have an indirect stake in the outcome. They are often allies or
sympathizers with primary parties but are not direct adversaries.
Third parties - are actors such as mediators and peacekeeping forces which might intervene
to facilitate resolution.

- Positions official demands (What you say you want)

- Interests underlying reasons (What you really want) (check Iceberg Model in file: Conflict
Analysis (Pearson College)
- Needs check Human needs theory (by Abraham Maslow) (check file: Maslow's (hierarchy of
needs)
- Values Ideas, ideologies, beliefs (non-negotiable)