Characteristics and Resolution of Conflict Conflict can be International, National, Regional or Local Conflicts occur of different scales – small local disputes to large-scale international wars: International level conflicts involve more than one country, e.g. the Iran-Iraq war from 1980 to 1988. National level conflicts occur within one country, e.g. the conflict that begun in Syria in March 2011 has been fought between the authoritarian government and anti-government forces who want democracy. Regional level conflicts occur within a region of one or more countries, e.g. in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan, tension between the communities as they compete for water resources. Local level conflicts occur within small areas of a country, e.g. in 2002 a plan to build 27 wind turbines on the Isle of Skye was approved. Many locals were concerned the wind farm would create noise pollution, harm the tourist industry and pose a threat to golden eagles. Local people who were campaigning against the wind farm had their property vandalised by people who supported the wind farm.

Conflict is expressed in many different ways Non-violent conflicts don’t involve violence (no, really). For example: Political activity includes supporting, opposing or creating a political party. Debate is formal discussion to exchange opinions – and it often ends in a vote to make decisions. Boycotts involve refusing to do something (e.g. refusing to buy a product). Strikes involve refusing to work. Protests and demonstrations involve groups of people publicly making their opinions heard and drawing attention to issues. They include protest marches (walking through areas) and picketing (gathering in one place). Terrorism involves using violence to intimidate people – usually with the aim of achieving a political goal. Insurrection is an organised rebellion with the aim of overthrowing a government. Insurrection often (but not always) involves violence. War is a violent conflict between two or more groups.

There are lots of ways to resolve conflict Negotiation: Negotiation involves discussing issues with the aim of producing an agreement. It is used to try to resolve many different kinds of conflict – for example, business negotiations (businesses and suppliers may negotiate with one another on prices) and government negotiations (community groups may negotiate with local government to agree on development plans for an area). They can be formal or informal. They may involve trained negotiators acting on behalf of a group (e.g. a lawyer may represent a group in legal negotiations). Mediation: This involves the groups at conflict meeting with a mediator (an independent third party). There aim is to make sure groups listen to and understand each other. They try to find ways of reaching an agreement. All sorts of conflicts involve mediators – from local disputes to international disagreements. Mediators of international conflicts include countries (e.g. Norway mediated the Sri Lankan Civil War), non-government organisations (e.g. ‘International Alert’ is a mediator in Liberia) and inter-government organisations (e.g. the UN is a mediator in the Middle East). Diplomacy: Diplomacy and negotiations between countries. It usually involves trained negotiators called diplomats or ambassadors. Most countries have a diplomatic service to maintain international relations and negotiate agreements (e.g. trade agreements), alliances (e.g. political alliances where governments work together to solve problems) and peace treaties (e.g. to prevent or resolve violent conflicts). Cultural differences (e.g. diplomats from different countries following different rules and methods of discussion, or having different negotiation styles) may affect diplomacy, so diplomats are trained to act reasonably and follow certain rules of behaviour – so they don’t cause offence.

Planning laws can help resolve conflicts over local resources Proposed developments (building projects) often cause conflict over available space and local resources. When a development is proposed, planning officers first make sure that the development sticks to planning laws. If it doesn’t, they can ask for the proposal to be changed. Then, planning committees discuss the proposals. They must consider: The views of all of the interested parties. This often involves the people or organisation that made the proposal, and the local community who may be affected by the plans. Whether the gains from the development outweigh the negative impacts it may cause. Whether the proposed development has wider benefits outside of the local area (e.g. developing an industrial plant in an area can be good for other companies who will supply materials and components to the plant). The committees take all of these factors into account and then make a decision about the proposed development. The plans may be accepted or rejected, or they may ask for the plans to be modified and resubmitted. If plans are rejected, the developments can go through an appeals process against decisions.

Conflict resolution may not make everyone happy Unfortunately, not everyone can win all the time when it comes to conflict resolution. There are three possible outcomes when a conflict is resolved: A win-lose outcome (one side gains while the other loses). A win-win outcome (both sides gain). A lose-lose outcome (both sides lose out).