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International Online Training Program On Intractable Conflict

Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, USA

Complicating Factors

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.


FRAMING PROBLEMS

Problems defining what the conflict is about and how it is being addressed 

 
Confusing Interests with Positions
Confusing Material Interests With Fundamental Human Needs
Incompatible Frames
Overly Competitive Approaches to a Conflict
"Into-the-Sea" Framing
De-Humanization of Opponents
Conflict Emergence
Not My Problem
Framing Conflict Itself as the Problem
Ambiguous Goals
Failing to Identify Available Options for Dealing with the Situation

SCOPING PROBLEMS

Problems determining who is involved, what they think, and  the context or the environment of the conflict. 

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.
 
Failing to Identify All of the Other Parties
Failing to Identify All of the Issues in a Conflict
Failure to Identify Opponent's Options1
Differing Definitions of "Justice"
Ignoring the Conflict History or Current Related Disputes
Inadequate Information Gathering
 

COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS

Problems talking with and/or understanding people involved in the conflict (on your side and on other sides).

 
For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.
Misinterpretation of Communication
Failure to Understand an Opponent's Perspective
**TOUR** Cultural Barriers to Effective Communication
Language Differences
Misinterpreted Motives
Inaccurate and Overly Hostile Stereotypes
Lack of Communication Channels/Avoided Communication
Poor Listening Skills
Secrecy
Deception
Inflammatory Statements
Inflammatory Media
Inadequate Information Gathering/Time Constraints
Crisis Communication
New, Poorly Informed Participants
Constituent Communication Problems

FACT-FINDING PROBLEMS

Problems obtaining information about facts and uncertainties.

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.
 
Conflicts of Interest / Lack of Credibility
Contradictory Experts
Deliberate Deception
Understanding the Meaning of Facts
Inability to Deal with Uncertainty
Analysis Paralysis/Delay-Default
Complexity Muddle
 

PROCEDURAL PROBLEMS

Problems with the formal (and informal) processes which the parties use to interact with one another.

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.
 
Excluded Parties
Strategic Delays
Rushed Decisions
Lack of Clear Goals
Meaningless Public Involvement
Complexity Muddle
Unfulfilled Expectations
Vested Interests
Dictatorial Process
Timing Problems
 

 
ESCALATION PROBLEMS

Problems involving the intensification of the conflict

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.
Contention Dynamics
Runaway Responses
Polarization
Personal Attacks
Violence
Sacrifice Trap
Tactical Escalation
Out-Group / Enemy Image
De-Humanization
Extremists
Crises
Emotions
Stalemate
Inflammatory Media
Procrastination of Response

Copyright ©1998 Conflict Research Consortium  -- Contact: crc@colorado.edu

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International Online Training Program On Intractable Conflict

Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, USA

Core Conflict Problems

 


 

TYPES OF CORE ISSUES

Although intractable conflicts can involve almost any issue, some kinds of issues are particularly likely to cause conflicts to become intractable.  Among these are the following:

The Denial of Identity
The Denial of Other Human Needs
Domination Conflicts
High Stakes Distributional Conflicts
 

FORCE PROBLEMS

Problems which arise when one party forces another party to do something that they do not want to do.

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.
 
Failure to Recognize Available Force-Based Options
Assuming Force is the Only Source of Power
Absence of Violence Limiting Mechanisms
Failure to Anticipate Opponent Reactions and the Backlash Effect
Misunderstanding the Relationship Between Threat and Force
Illegitimate or Excessive Use of Force
Pursuing Force to the Bitter End

Note:  the following seven items can be considered either problems or solutions, depending on one's point of view.  They therefore appear on both the problem and the solution lists, and the write-ups reflect both perspectives.
 
Submission
Subversion
Defiance
Defense
Coalition Building
Deterrence, Counter-Threats (and Arms Races)
Flight (Refugees)

 
Assuming Monolithic, Worst Case Opponents
Neglecting Costs and Risks of Using Force
Human Rights/War Crime Problem
Lack of Viable Military Options
Tyranny of the Powerful/Disempowerment
Ostracizing Losers
 

 

INTEGRATIVE PROBLEMS

The integrative system is the system of social, economic, and political bonds that hold people, communities, and societies together.   Integrative problems are situations that weaken these bonds or fail to take advantage of the power they can provide for constructive conflict confrontation.

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.

Neglecting Opportunities for Persuasion
Ineffective Persuasion
** TOUR ** Differences in Values
Lack of Legitimacy
Distrust
Prejudice / Discrimination
Erosion of Traditional Conflict Management Institutions (Extended families, churches, or judicial systems for example)
Integrative System Does Not Exist or Is Very Weak
Upheaval Conflicts

 

EXCHANGE PROBLEMS

 

Trading or exchange is the second fundamental form of power (the other two being force and the integrative system).

Exchange problems are problems which prevent the negotiation of voluntary agreements.

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.

Limits to Agreement: Better Alternatives
Poor Timing
Overlooking Ripe Moments for Negotiation
Refusal to Negotiate
Attempting to Negotiate Non-negotiable Issues
No Legitimate Party to Negotiate With
Wrong (or Missing) Parties at the Table
Lack of a Negotiating Forum
Distrust Opponent's Willingness to Keep Commitments
New Leader Briefings
Requests to Abandon Power Options as a Precondition to Negotiation
Attempts to Unfairly Distribute the Benefits of Agreement
All or Nothing Approach
Scale-Up Problem
Inexperienced Parties
Poor Process or Structure
Power Imbalances
Third Party Not Effective or Credible
Failed Mediation

Copyright ©1998 Conflict Research Consortium  -- Contact: crc@colorado.edu

 

 

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International Online Training Program On Intractable Conflict

Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, USA

Treating Complicating Factors

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.

TREATING FRAMING PROBLEMS

Strategies for determining what the conflict is about and how it is being addressed.

 
Interest-Based Framing
Fairness-Based Framing
Needs-Based Framing
Joint Reframing/Assisted Reframing
Integrative (or Win-Win) Reframing
Mirror Imaging
Accepting, Rather Than Challenging, the Situation
Power Sharing
Goal Clarification
Finding and Borrowing Eloquent Statements of the Common Core Issues
Understanding the Usefulness of Conflict
Balanced Sociation

TREATING SCOPING PROBLEMS

Strategies for determining who is involved, what they think, and  the context or the environment of the conflict. 

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.
Conflict Mapping
Strategic Option Identification and Costing
Analysis of Similar Conflicts
Identifying and Involving All Potential Disputants
Understanding Historical Context
Recognizing Related Disputes
Assisted Scoping
Conflict Group Formation

TREATING COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS

Although improving communication will seldom (perhaps never) completely resolve an intractable conflict, communication improvements can often make the situation better or more constructive. (On occasion, it should be noted, better communication can make things worse, if people figure out that their opponents are worse than they thought they were!) Each of the following steps to improve communication can be used singlely or in combination.

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.
 
Opening Lines of Communication
Question Stereotypes
Stereotype-Breaking Actions
Communication Accuracy
Active Listening
Dialogic Listening
Shuttle Diplomacy /Mediated Communication
Dialogue
Unofficial Communication Channels / Citizen Diplomacy/ Multitrack Diplomacy
** TOUR ** Cross-Cultural Communication Strategies
Constituent Communication
New Leader Briefings
Crisis Communication Mechanisms
Respectful Communication
Communication Skills Improvement
Communication Pre-Tests
Rumor Control Teams
Telecommunications-Based Communication
Public Information Strategy / Media Management
Positive Media Involvement
Establish Personal Relationships

TREATING FACT-FINDING PROBLEMS

Strategies for obtaining information about facts and uncertainties.

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.
Joint Fact-Finding
Data Mediation
Oversight
Credibility Demonstrations
Impact-Study Requirement
Dealing With Uncertainty
Technical Primers
Alternative Methods For Presenting Data
Truth Commissions

TREATING PROCEDURAL PROBLEMS

Strategies for improving the formal (and informal) processes which the parties use to interact with one another.

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.
 
 
Meeting Design
Meeting Facilitation
Majority Rule Processes
Consensus Rule Processes
Administrative Decision-Making Processes
Negotiation of Process Issues (Pre-Negotiation)
Good Timing/Identifying Ripe Times For Negotiation
Private Meetings
Public Information Strategy
Confidentiality Rules
Protection of Minority Rights
Action Forcing Mechanisms/Deadlines
Clear Rules and Procedural Expectations
Deliberation Requirements
Conflict of Interest Rules
Public Participation Mechanisms
Grassroots Process Design

TREATING ESCALATION PROBLEMS

Strategies for reducing the intensity of a conflict.

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.
Escalation Training
Cooling-Off Periods
De-escalatory Language
Dealing with Destructive and Hateful Speech
Media Management
Step-by-Step De-escalation (GRIT)
Controlled Confrontation
Dealing with Extremists
Changing Leaders
Making Escalation the Enemy
Ground Rules
Crisis Management
Managing Strong Emotions
Peacekeeping
Observers (Protective Accompaniment)
Conciliatory Victory
"I" Statements not "You" Statements
Future Focus
Develop Personal Relationships

Copyright ©1998 Conflict Research Consortium  -- Contact: crc@colorado.edu

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International Online Training Program On Intractable Conflict

Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, USA

 

Treating Core Conflict Problems


TREATING FORCE PROBLEMS

Strategies for dealing with the problems which when arise one party forces another party to do something that they do not want to do.

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.

 
Types of Power Other Than Force
Inventory of Available Force Types
Creation of Violence Limiting Mechanisms
Elections / Instituting Democracy
Empowerment
Non-Violent Struggle
Collective Security
Peace Zones
Civilian Defense
Long-Term Struggle
Strategic Retreat
Criminal Prosecution
Apology and Forgiveness
Truth Commissions
Human and Civil Rights Organizations
Understanding the Nature of Threats

The following seven items are listed both as problems and as treatments, as they can be either, depending on the situation.  The write-ups indicate how these concepts can be seen both ways.

Submission
Subversion
Defiance
Defense
Coalition Building
Deterrence, Counter-Threats, and Arms Races
Flight (Refugees)

External Intervention
Arbitration
Disarmament Strategies
Legitimizing the Use of Force
Peacekeeping
Forcing Power Shortcuts
Step-By-Step Application of Force With Negotiation Loop-Backs
Face-Saving
Re-Integration of Losers
 

TREATING INTEGRATIVE PROBLEMS

Strengthening the bonds between people and groups, and using these bonds to constructively confront problems

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.

 

\\
Identify Integrative Options
 
Opening Communication Channels
Crafting Persuasive Arguments
Apology and Forgiveness
Confronting Hypocrisy
Finding Commonality
Humanization
Coexistence and Tolerance
Trust Building
Face Saving
Reconciliation
Moral High Ground
Re-Establish or Empower Traditional or New Conflict-Management Institutions
Joint Projects
Peacebuilding - Official Efforts of UN and Regional Organizations
NGO Peacebuilding
NGO Humanitarian Aid
Citizen Diplomacy
Church Involvement
Finding Common Values
Power Sharing  and Autonomy Strategies
Dialogue
Develop Interdependence
Establish Personal Relationships
Story Telling
Stereotype-Breaking Actions
Prejudice Reduction Programs
Compensation/Restitution
Establishment of Civil Society
 

TREATING EXCHANGE / NEGOTIATION PROBLEMS

Strategies for dealing with problems with the processes which the parties use to negotiate voluntary agreements.

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.

 
Negotiation
Official (Track 1) diplomacy
Identifying Ripe Times for Negotiation
Identifying and Pursuing Negotiable Sub-Issues
Negotiation Loopbacks
Principled Negotiation
Soft Bargaining
Hard Bargaining
Distributive Bargaining
"Yesable" Propositions
Third-Party Intervention
Mediation
Consensus Building
Utilize a Skilled, Credible Third Party
New Leader Briefings
Common Ground Projects
Deadlines, Compliance Guarantees, and Self-Enforcing Agreements
Brainstorming
Pre-Negotiation/Negotiation of Process Issues
UN Good Offices
Peacemaking
Getting People to The Table
Constituent Involvement Strategies
Provide Forum
Negotiate with Legitimate Representatives
Negotiation Skill Development

COMBINATION TREATMENT STRATEGIES

Approaches to conflict which combine two or more of the categories or treatment strategies described above

For more information about any of these topics, click on the title.

 

 
Incrementalism
Empowerment
Advocacy Advisors
Goal Clarification
Insider-Partial Mediation
Identify Sources of Power/Power Strategy Mix
Analytical Problem Solving
Conflict Transformation
Transformative Mediation
Dispute Systems Design
Reality Testing
Preventive Diplomacy/Conflict Prevention
Constructive Confrontation
Training
Stable Peace
Coercive Diplomacy

Copyright ©1998 Conflict Research Consortium  -- Contact: crc@colorado.edu