Characteristics and Resolution of Conflict

Question 1

what are the 4 different scales that conflict can occur on

Answer 1

• international level
• national level
• regional level
• local level

Question 2

what are international level conflicts

Answer 2

involves more than one

e.g. Iran-Iraq war from 1980-88

Question 3

what are national level conflicts

Answer 3

occur within one country
e.g. conflict that began in Syria 2011 has been fought between the authoritarian government and anti-government forces wanting democracy

Question 4

what are regional level conflicts

Answer 4

occur within a region of one or more countries
e.g. in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan, many rural communities rely on mountain springs for water, sometimes run dry, leads to tensions between communities as they compete for water resources

Question 5

what are local level conflicts

Answer 5

occur within small areas of a country
e.g. in 2002 a plan to build 27 wind turbines on Isle of Skye was approved, locals concerned wind farm would create noise pollution, harm tourism and pose a threat to golden eagles. Locals campaigned against wind farm and got property vandalised by those that supported it

Question 6

what are the 4 ways in which conflict is expressed

Answer 6

• non-violent
• terrorism
• insurrection
• war

Question 7

what are examples of non-violent expressions of conflict

Answer 7

• political activity - supporting, opposing or creating a political policy
• debate - formal discussion to exchange opinions, ends in vote to make a decision
• boycotts - refusing to do something
• strikes - refusing to work
• protests and demonstrations - groups of people publically making opinions heard and drawing attention to issues (marches, picketing)

Question 8

what is terrorism

Answer 8

involves using violence to intimidate people - usually with the aim of achieving a political goal

Question 9

what is insurrection

Answer 9

an organised rebellion with the aim of overthrowing a government, often involves violence

Question 10

what is war

Answer 10

a violent conflict between two or more groups

Question 11

what are the 3 ways that conflict can be resolved

Answer 11

• negotiation
• diplomacy
• mediation

Question 12

what is neogtiation

Answer 12

involves discussing issues with the aim of producing an agreement

Question 13

examples of negotiation resolving conflict

Answer 13

• business negotiations - businesses and suppliers may negotiate with each other to agree on prices
• government negotiations - community groups may negotiate with local government to agree on development plans for an area

Question 14

negotiations, formal or informal

Answer 14

can be both
-formal as they can involve trained negotiators acting on behalf of a group e.g. a lawyer may represent a group in legal negotiations

Question 15

what is diplomacy

Answer 15

negotiation between countries usually involving trained negotiators called diplomats or ambassadors

Question 16

why do most countries have a diplomatic service

Answer 16

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)

Question 17

how can diplomacy be affected

Answer 17

cultural differences - diplomats from different countries following different rules and methods of discussion or having different negotiation styles.
-diplomats are trained to act reasonably and follow certain rules of behaviour - so they can’t cause offence

Question 18

what is mediation

Answer 18

involves the groups at conflict meeting with a mediator (an independent third party)

Question 19

why do mediators exist in resolving conflict

Answer 19

to make sure groups listen to and understand each other, try to find ways of reaching an agreement

Question 20

who can mediators of international conflicts involve

Answer 20

includes:

• countries (e.g. Norway mediated the Sri Lankan Civil War(
• non-government organisations (e.g. ‘International Alert’ is a mediator in Liberia
• inter-government organisations (e.g. the UN is a mediator in the Middle East)

Question 21

what can help resolve conflicts over local resources

Answer 21

planning laws

Question 22

what can cause conflict over available space and local resources

Answer 22

proposed developments

Question 23

what are the stages that follow when a development is proposed

Answer 23

1. planning officers make sure that development sticks to planning laws - if not they can ask it to be changed
2. planning committees discuss the proposals considering different factors
3. committees take factors into account and made decision about proposal - accepted or rejected, can ask for plans to be modified and resubmitted
4. if rejected developers can go through an appeals process against decision

Question 24

what factors do planning committees need to consider when discussing a proposal?

Answer 24

• views of all of the interested parties - involves the people or organisation making proposal and local community
• whether the gains from proposal outweigh the negative impacts it may cause
• whether proposal has wider benefits outside of local area

Question 25

what are some of the outcomes of conflict resolution

Answer 25

not everyone is always happy, 3 possible outcomes: - a win-lose outcome - a win-win outcome - a lose-lose outcome