MGPE-010: Conflict Management Transformation and Peace Building

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.

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-8

CONFLICT 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