CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND THE EUPHORIA OF WARS

There are many questions that can be raised about the episode of conflicts. When a conflict emerges between nations or people in a nation, it is important to know something about not only the characteristics and values of the parties in a conflict and their prior relationships, but also the nature of the issues giving rise to the conflict, and the social environment within which the conflict occurs. Any notion of war is too depressing as it launches only shock and awe against mankind. War in most cases does not accomplish a mission. The ticking sound that is heard beneath the euphoria of war is always the time bomb of a gathering displacement, death and suffering, and the catastrophic destruction of human life.

No one can therefore deny that the collection of monologues about any war as told by the men who fought in it is totally raw and upsetting, but it also tells and old, old story. Hundreds of accounts like this followed the wars after the Second World War, and they echo the observations in Chris Hedges book “War is a force that gives us meaning”. Combat not only destroys bodies, but it also twists and torments souls in many particular ways.

Along with reading Chris Hedges, one can understood from Louis Kriesberg’s constructive conflict that there is consequently a need to understand conflict in a new way. It is not only enough for the civilized world to ask for resolutions between warring parties. There is also a need to suggest what must be discussed, how they may agree, how agreements can be made a reality and, not least, how settlements can be lasting so that new generations could be raised without repeating bitter war experiences. It is furthermore, important to ask what should be learned for effective conflict prevention, allowing for “just” aspirations to develop methods without systematic and deliberate violence.

COOPERATION AND COMPETITION

In any conflict resolution parties entering into a negotiation process bring with them not only an agenda, but a certain orientation in their collective efforts to settle conflicts and disputes. The two major orientation tools that could be employed by all such parties are either through cooperation, or a competition. A  cooperative base approach  always tend to align with a process of interest-based or integrative bargaining leading parties to seek for a win-win solution. However, disputants that work cooperatively to negotiate a solution are likely to develop relationships of trust that come up with mutually beneficial options for settlement.

Options for a negotiated settlement are limited in some case by a set amount of rewards that must be divided one way or the other. Such situations leave no alternative for mutual gains and therefore parties must utilize competitive negotiation tactics to pursue their goals. Competitive approaches align with the process of distributive bargaining, which results in a win-lose outcome. A competitive approach to conflicts therefore tends to increase animosity and distrust between parties, which is rather destructive.

It is important to remember though, that negotiating an acceptable agreement always includes common and conflicting goals. Therefore both cooperation and competition are necessary to some extend in order to reach solutions. In other words, negotiators must learn, in part from each other, what is jointly possible and desirable. To do so requires some degree of cooperation. But at the same time, people seek to advance their individual interests. This usually involves some degree of competition and finding a balance between these two approaches is the key to a successful conflict resolution.

CHANGES IN PEACE MAKING: NEGOTIATION THEORY AND PRACTICE

In this 21^st century, not many of us enjoy dealing with conflicts-either with bosses, peers, or subordinates, friends, or strangers. This is particularly true when the conflict becomes hostile and when strong feelings become involved. Resolving conflicts therefore becomes mentally exhausting and emotionally draining. In the movie “No Mans Land” such a conflict of interest was clearly manifested where the opposing factions where seen to be wanting different things but at the same time both sides preferring to search for a solution rather than breaking off. But it is important to realize that conflict that requires resolution is neither good nor bad. There can be positive and negative outcomes. It can be destructive but can also play a productive role for us and our relationships-both personal and professional. The important point is to manage the conflict, not to suppress conflict and not to let conflict escalate out of control. This was manifested in the movie “No Mans Land”, when United Nations peace keepers in the former Yugoslavia conflict where seen on numerous occasions managing the conflict in manners unbecoming of global peace keepers. Many of us seek to avoid conflict when it arises but there are many times when we should use conflict as a critical aspect of creativity and motivation.

Given that conflicts are becoming more of ethnic, cultural and religious based in this century, it is likely that conflict negotiation will become an even greater component of global international organizations in the future. Negotiation theories and skills are therefore among the most significant determinants of success in any conflict resolution. While negotiation theory and practice is becoming an art form to some degree, there are specific techniques that anyone can learn. Understanding these techniques and employing them in conflict settlements will become crucial in any conflict resolution in the near future.

DEVELOPING CONFLICT RESOLUTION SKILLS

Developing and dealing effectively with conflict resolution skills is becoming one of the biggest challenges facing the civilized international community in this 21^st century. Conflicts in all aspects of life can become physical and psychologically hurtful and the approach to conflict resolution that we learn, should always stay with us under all circumstances.

Conflict shall remain to be a part of our daily living .We should therefore be poised to develop skills that will resolve conflicts in ways that protect relationships, honor feelings and lead to resolutions. Conflict resolution is about resolving differences which means that it can be used in families, among friends and between spouses. It should also reduce contention among those involved which means incorporating several needed skills. Such skills should include open communication, understanding another’s perspective and equalizing power structures. Easy to say but conflict resolution is an acquired skill that often requires professional assistance to ensure continued benefit. We should therefore be dedicated to resolving conflicts in respect to violence and other types of aggression for the prevention of inhumane acts and the total destruction of not only our great societal fabrics, but also obstructing mankind from recognizing a community that could be called home.

Conflict resolution is tricky as it encompasses setting aside the ego and listening to other parties. This can be tough for a number of reasons but could be mainly due to our self-esteem, feelings of justification, and truthfulness. Those who do not like conflict very easily give in and hold on to resentments causing future conflicts. Others remain aggressive and therefore put a lot more pressure on others to accept their way or no other way. They remain adamant on selfish notion of their way or no other way escalating the situation even more badly.

Proper conflict resolution therefore takes analyzing the problem and developing skills to work through future problems. Once those skills are developed life becomes more rewarding and fulfilling as relationships deepen and stressful situations are reduced and handled.

CULTURE COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT

A broad understanding of intercultural relations is essential in the study of not only conflicts, but at all levels of human interaction. While we might assume that increased interaction between people of different cultures will automatically bring about more cross-cultural understanding and harmony, it often leads to greater awareness of our own culture and may actually exacerbate conflict between individuals, nations and people in a nation.

Understanding difficulties created by cultural differences during conflicts, and ways of overcoming those barriers is another major approach in dealing with conflicts. The apartheid era in south South Africa was one such conflict that was marred by cultural differences and communication difficulties. Music therefore became a powerful medium of communication, as blacks in South Africa use it to spread their messages of freedom, liberty and the tyranny of the apartheid regime. One such activist for example in his song “watch out verwood” categorized the apartheid police agents as a “Roving and marauding gang of no particular origin”. The conflict in South during the apartheid era was one such conflicted tainted by not only political motives, but culture seen to be a dominant player through out the crisis.

Peace making and conflict resolution is therefore a powerful tool of the 21^st century that should be embraced by all. The wars in Africa, the Balkans and the Middle East are conflicts that have not only broadened our understanding of conflict resolution, but also preparing us to appropriate measures and approaches to emerging conflicts. There is therefore no doubt that once modern methods, skills and techniques in conflict resolution are properly applied, the world will see a lot of conflicts contained in the easiest and fastest manner