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Human race is engaged in conflict, aggression, warfare, and violence seemingly equate with the human condition since the early days of civilisation. Equally, humans have sought, as long as there has been conflict, to handle conflict effectively by containing or mitigating its negative consequences. This course is an effort to understand some of the major theoretical perspectives of conflict management, conflict transformation and conflict resolution. Since these concepts are very important for our comprehensive understanding that how we can minimize the level and structures of conflicts and to create new avenues of cooperation and compatibility. Conflict management involves the control, but not resolution, of a long-term or deep-rooted conflict. This is the approach taken when complete resolution seems to be impossible, yet something needs to be done. In cases of resolution-resistant or evenintractable conflict, it is possible to manage the situation in ways that make it more constructive. Conflict transformation is different from the other two, because it reflects a better understanding of the nature of conflict itself. Conflict transformation is also a prescriptive concept. It suggests that the destructive consequences of a conflict can be transformed so that self-images, relationships, and social structures improve as the consequence of conflict, instead of being harmed by it. Usually, this involvestransforming perceptionsof issues, actions, and other people or groups. In this course we will try to learn the nuances of abovementioned three broad concepts through western as well as Non-western throries, perspectives and approaches.
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WEEK
TOPICS
Week-1
NATURE OF CONFLICTS (i)
Conflict Resolution Mechanisms
Transcending Incompatibility
Incompatibility Analysis
NATURE OF CONFLICTS (ii)
Conflict Triangle
Conflicts: Cyclical or Dialectical
Inevitability of Conflicts
Week-2
UNDERSTANDING SOURCES OF CONFLICT
Inherency Theories
Contingent Theories
Interactionist Theories
Sources of Conflict
Culture
Ideology
Religion
Identity
Week-3
METHODS OF CONFLICT ANALYSIS
Focusing on Conflict Dynamics
Focusing on Basic Needs
Focusing on Rational Calculations
Identifying Key Elements in Conflict Analysis
Week-4
CONFLICT ASSESSMENT AND PROGNOSIS
Methods of Conflict Resolution
Limitations of Conflict Assessment
The Challenges That Lie Ahead
The Importance of Cultural Differences
Conflict within the Field of Conflict Resolution
Week-5
RESPONSES TO CONFLICTS (i)
Post-conflict Recovery
Role of International Community
Strengthening UN Coordination
RESPONSES TO CONFLICTS (ii)
Transparency and Accountability
Coordination Mechanisms
Financing Recovery
PROGRESS ASSESSMENT
Week-6
OBJECTIVES OF CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
Methods and Different Approaches of Conflict management
Conflict Management in Cultural Context
Social and Environmental Dimensions of Conflict
Arms Proliferation and Conflict Management
Criticism of the Concept of Conflict Management
Conventional approach
Normative political theory
Coser and conflict management
Galtung and peace research
John burton and human needs theory
UNITED NATIONS AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
Week-7
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT: METHODS AND TECHNIQUES
Analysing Organisational Conflict
Different Mathods for Conflict Management
Locating a superordinate goal
Modes of Conflict Management
Case Studies: Punjab & Nagaland
Week-8CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION
Concept of ‘Conflict’ in Conflict Transformation
Approaches to Conflict Transformation
Traditional (Non-western) Approaches
Western Approaches of Conflict Transformation
Structural Approach
Contingency Approach
Development Approach
State Reform Approach
Systemic Approach
Civil Society Approach
Dialogical Approach
Step-by-step Approach
Procedural Approach
Mix of Western and Non-western Approaches
Non-violent Approach
Perspectives on Conflict Transformation
Week-9
THEORIES OF CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION
Thinkers and their Theories of Conflict Transformation
Gene Sharp
Adam Curle
Terrell A. Northrup
Edward Azar
Raimo Vayrynen
David W. Augsburger
Johan Galtung
John Paul Lederach
Week-10
GANDHIAN VISION
Critique of Modern Civilisation
Gandhi’s idea of Swaraj
Swadeshi and Self-reliance
Sarvodaya and Antyodaya
Trusteeship
Role of Women
Freedom from Untouchability
Conservation of Resources
India’s place in Modern World
CASE STUDIES: CHAMPARAN AND SOUTH AFRICA
Week-11
PEACEBUILDING – MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE
Normative and Evolutionary framework
Multiple Actors and Domains
Principal Challenges
APPROACHES TO PEACEBUILDING
Concept of Peace-building
Integrated or Whole of Government Approach
Peace versus Justice Approach
Civil Society or Transformational Approach
Feminist Approach
Week-12
POST-CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION
Actors and Stakeholders of Post-conflict Re-construction and Rehabilitation
Post-conflict Fund and the Role of World Bank
Case Study: Re-construction and Rehabilitation of the Tamils in Sri Lanka
Case Study of Afghanistan from Conflict to Reconstruction
International Community and Reconstruction
India’s Role in Reconstruction
Importance of Afghanistan for India and the Region
