GST 121: Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution - Chapter 1

GST 121: Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution

Table of Contents:

Chapters:

1. Conflict Issues and the Basic Assumptions: 'The Nigerian Experience' 
2. Some Ethical Dimensions of Conflict 
3. Developing a Culture of Peace 
4. The Place of Peace in National Unity and Development 
5. The Role of Citizenship Development and Education in National Peace and Unity 
6. Conflict Management and Resolution 
7. Peer Mediation and Peace Clubs: 'Empowering Youth With Peace Building Skills' 
8. Alternative Dispute Resolution 
9. Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Building Process 
10. Role of Gender in Peacekeeping and Peace Building 
11. The Role of International Organizations in Conflict Resolutions 

CONFLICT ISSUES AND THE BASIC ASSUMPTIONS 

The Nigerian Experience

What is Conflict?

Conflict has several definitions because it means different things to different persons. Some of these definitions include:

• It can be defined as an emotional disturbance resulting from a clash of opposing impulses. 
• It is a situation in which a group or groups of people or countries are involved in serious disagreement or argument. 
• It is a situation of opposing ideas, opinions, feelings or wishes, a situation in which it is difficult to choose. 
• It can be seen as a disagreement through which the parties involved perceive a threat to their needs, interest or concerns. 
• In Conflict, there is always disagreement and there are always parties [persons] involved. 
• Disagreement in conflict exists in two forms: 'true disagreement' and 'perceived disagreement' and they are dissimilar. 
• In Conflict, we also have perceived threat, needs, interests or concerns. 

Furthermore:

• A Conflict is beyond a 'mere disagreement' 
• The participants in conflict rely on their 'perception' of the situation to determine their response. Whereas, they are supposed to be objective. 
• Conflicts contain procedural, substantive and psychological dimensions to be negotiated. 
• Conflicts are normal experiences and occurrences within the 'work environment'. 
• In solving conflicts or in conflict management, creative problem-solving strategies are useful. 

CONFLICT AS A LITERARY CONCEPT

As a literary concept, conflict is seen as that which seeks to explain plots. Here, we are going to explain conflict according to a pattern proposed by Sir. Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch who classified plots into seven basic conflicts:

1. Man vs Self 
2. Man vs Man 
3. Man vs Society 
4. Man vs Nature 
5. Man vs Supernatural 
6. Man vs Machine/Technology 
7. Man vs Destiny 

Man vs Self: This is when the main character in the story has a problem with him or herself. It is seen in moments of decision making. A typical example is 'Journey to the River Sea'. 

Man vs Man: This is a conflict arising between two or more characters of the same ilk [kind]. 

Man vs Society: It is conflict that arises when a main character thinks differently from the society. 

Man vs Nature: In this conflict, the main character is placed against the forces of nature. A typical example include: the novel Hatchet to Jack London's short story - To Build a Fire or Survivor Man. 

Man vs Supernatural: Here, the character is against the elements outside of the natural realm. Such as encounters with ghosts, extraterrestrials, aliens, etc. Some movies had this plot e.g. The Exorcist and The Blair Witch Project. 

Man vs Machine/Technology: This is conflict between the protagonist and mechanical antagonist or the mechanization of society in general. Example is in the movie series titled Terminator. 

Man vs Destiny: This occurs when one attempts to break free of a predetermined path before him which was chosen without his knowledge or will. It is also known as conflict between 'fate' and 'freewill'. A common example is Shakespeare's Macbeth. 

THE TYPES OF CONFLICT

• Relationship Conflicts 
• Data Conflicts 
• Interest Conflicts 
• Structural Conflicts 
• Value Conflicts 
• Psychological Conflicts 
• Conflicts in the Contemporary World 

Practice Questions:

1. Conflict Theory is most commonly associated with who?
2. The type of conflict that occurs due to the presence of strong negative emotions, misperceptions, stereotypes, poor communication etc., is?
3. What is the name of the conflict that emerges as a result of lack of information? 
4. When we compete over perceived incompatible needs, what kind of conflict will possibly arise? 
5. When the cause of a conflict is as a result of external forces that are external to the disputants then we have ________ type of conflict? 
6. Conflicts arising from the desire for power, control, autonomy, recognition or love is? 

To be Contd.