Lecture 2 Understanding the conflict

Question 1

Why do we go back first to conflict analysis and not straight back to conflict resolution?

Answer 1

1. A better understanding of the problem opens possibilities for tailored solutions
2. Effective ad targeted conflict resolution presumes some level of understanding of the nature of the conflict

Question 2

Conflict resolution and conflict management as a field is:

A-E

Answer 2

A. Multi-level
B. Multidisciplinary
C. Multicultural
D. Analystic normative
E. Theoretical and practical

Question 3

Armed conflict by type

Answer 3

Interstate conflict
Intrastate conflict
Non state conflict
Internationalzied conflict

Question 4

Interstate conflict

Answer 4

A conflict between two or more governments

Question 5

Intra state confict

Answer 5

Conflict between a government and a non-govermental party (no inference of other parties)

Question 6

Non-state conflicts

Answer 6

The use of armed force between two organised armed groups, neither of which is the government of a state

Question 7

Internationalized conflict

Answer 7

An armed conflict between a government and a non-
government party where the government side, the opposing side, or both sides, receive troop support from other governments that actively participate in the conflict. (UCD definition)

Question 8

The motivation of actors

Answer 8

Revolution / ideology conflict (e.g. Taliban in Afghanistan)
Identity / secessionist conflict (e.g. Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka)
Economic / resource conflict (e.g. paramilitaries in Colombia)

Question 9

Azar’s theory on protracted social conflict

Answer 9

It focuses on four main preconditions:
1. communal content
2. needs
3. governance
4. international linkages

Question 10

five levels of conflict

Answer 10

1. global
2. regional
3. state
4. indentity group
5. elite/individual

Question 11

armed conflict

Answer 11

A state-based armed conflict is a contested incompatibility that concerns government and/or territory where the use of armed force between two parties, of which at least one is the government of a state, results in at least 25 battle-related deaths in one calendar year

Question 12

Battle deaths

Answer 12

Battle deaths include fatalities of both combatants and civilians that are directly attributed to combat.
However(!)
a. It does not take into account secondary deaths, starvation, disease, etc.
b. It excludes fight between non-state armed groups (the dimension of non-state conflict)
Hence, battle deaths are not the same as war deaths

Question 13

Why is armed conflict (and their impact) notoriously difficult to measure

Answer 13

What situations do we include
When does it start, when does it end?

Question 14

escalation and de-escalation phases of conflict

Answer 14

difference
contradiciton
polarization
violence
war
ceasefire
agreement
normalization
reconciliation