 |
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.
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
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
-
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
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
-
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
-
-
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
 |
International Online Training Program On Intractable
Conflict
|
Conflict Research Consortium, University
of Colorado, USA |
Core Conflict Problems
-
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
-
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
-
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
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
 |
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
 |
International Online Training Program On Intractable
Conflict
|
Conflict Research Consortium, University
of Colorado, USA |
Treating Core Conflict 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
-
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
-
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
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