INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT.

Conflict is a situation where there is a perceived incompatibility of goals, interests, or values

between two or more parties. It can manifest in many forms, including interpersonal, group,
organizational, societal, and international, and involves an element of disagreement, opposition,
or hostility.
Examples of conflicts include:
Interpersonal conflict: When two friends have a disagreement over a certain issue, such as how
to spend their time together, and their views are not aligned.
Group conflict: When two teams within a company are competing for resources, such as office
space, and the conflict escalates to a point where productivity is affected.
Organizational conflict: When there is disagreement between the management and the
employees over issues such as compensation, working hours or job responsibilities.
Societal conflict: When there is a difference of opinion on key issues in the society, such as gun
control, abortion, or immigration, and people take opposing sides and argue for their point of
view.
International conflict means When two or more countries have different goals, interests, or
values, which leads to a conflict, such as territorial disputes, trade disputes, or ideological
differences.
Conflict management, on the other hand, is the process of resolving or reducing the negative
effects of conflict. It can be done through various means, such as negotiation, mediation,
arbitration, or force. Examples of conflict management include:
Negotiation: - When two parties discuss the issues at hand and work to find a solution that is
acceptable to both.
Mediation: - When a third party intervenes to help the two parties in conflict to find a solution.
Arbitration: When a neutral third party makes a binding decision to resolve the conflict.
Use of Force: - When one party uses military or other means to overpower the other party and
force their will on them.
Historical and contemporary examples of international conflict.
Historical international conflicts are those that occurred in the past and involved two or more
nations or groups of nations. Examples of historical international conflicts include:
World War I (1914-1918): This conflict involved many European powers, including France,
Germany, the United Kingdom, Austria-Hungary, and Russia, among others. It was one of the
deadliest conflicts in history and resulted in significant political and social changes in Europe.
World War II (1939-1945): Another global conflict that originated in Europe, involving many
of the same powers as World War I. It saw the rise of Nazi Germany, the Holocaust, and the
devastation of much of Europe. The war ended with the defeat of Nazi Germany and the
beginning of the Cold War.
Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815): These wars involved most of the major powers of Europe and
led by Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French. They reshaped the political landscape of
Europe and resulted in significant territorial changes.
Cold War (1947-1991): While not a conventional war, the Cold War was a prolonged
geopolitical and ideological struggle between the Western Bloc (led by the United States and its
NATO allies) and the Eastern Bloc (led by the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact). It had
significant impacts on Europe, including the division of Germany and the construction of the
Berlin Wall.
In Africa:
Scramble for Africa (late 19th and early 20th centuries): While not a single war, this period
saw European colonial powers, including France, Britain, Belgium, Portugal, and others,
competing for control over African territories. It led to numerous conflicts and wars across the
continent as indigenous peoples resisted colonization.
Angolan Civil War (1975-2002): This was one of the longest and most destructive conflicts in
modern African history, involving various factions and foreign interventions. It began as a
struggle for independence from Portuguese colonial rule and later became a complex proxy war
during the Cold War era.
Rwandan Genocide (1994): While not a conventional war between states, the genocide in
Rwanda resulted in the mass slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Tutsis and moderate Hutus
by extremist Hutu militias. It had significant regional and international implications.
Second Congo War (1998-2003): Often referred to as "Africa's World War" due to its
complexity and involvement of multiple African countries and armed groups, this conflict
resulted in millions of deaths and widespread devastation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Contemporary international conflicts are those that are currently ongoing and involve two or
more nations or groups of nations. Examples of contemporary international conflicts include:
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, which has been ongoing for decades and involves the conflict
over land and territorial disputes in the Middle East.
The Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011 and involves multiple factions fighting for control of
the country.
The Russia-Ukraine Conflict, which began in 2014 and involves territorial disputes between
Russia and Ukraine.
These conflicts often involve a wide range of issues, including ideological differences, territorial
disputes, economic interests, and religious and cultural differences. The management and
resolution of these conflicts often require a nuanced and multi-faceted approach, which may
involve diplomatic efforts, peace negotiations, economic sanctions, or military intervention.

Approaches to conflict management

Collaborative approach: This approach involves working with the other party to find a solution
that meets the needs and goals of both parties. The collaborative approach is ideal when the
parties involved have a high level of trust and a willingness to work together to achieve a
common goal. For example, in the workplace, a collaborative approach may be used to resolve a
conflict between two employees who have different ideas about how to complete a project.
Competitive approach: This approach involves competing with the other party to achieve a
desired outcome. The competitive approach is ideal when the parties involved have opposing
goals and are unwilling to compromise. For example, in a legal dispute, both parties may take a
competitive approach in court to win the case.
Compromising approach: This approach involves finding a middle ground that is acceptable to
both parties. The compromising approach is ideal when the parties involved have some common
goals but also have some opposing goals. For example, in a business negotiation, a compromise
may be reached between two parties on the price of a product or service.
Accommodating approach: This approach involves making a concession to the other party in
order to maintain a good relationship. The accommodating approach is ideal when the parties
involved have a long-term relationship that they want to preserve. For example, in a family
dispute, one family member may make a concession to another in order to avoid damaging the
relationship.
Avoiding approach: This approach involves avoiding the conflict altogether. The avoiding
approach is ideal when the conflict is not important or when the cost of resolving the conflict is
too high. For example, in a minor disagreement, it may be best to simply avoid the conflict and
move on.
These are just a few examples of the different approaches to conflict management. The approach
that is most effective will depend on the situation and the parties involved.