Introduction to Conflict Studies:: Empirical, Theoretical, and Ethical Dimensions

Introduction to Conflict Studies examines the nature, causes, dynamics, and ethical issues of all levels of conflict through a variety of theoretical lenses. With a strong awareness of the increasing complexity of conflict in the twenty-first century, the authors explore how and why conflicts start, how they escalate, and how they might be managed or resolved through such techniques as negotiation, mediation, peacekeeping, and reconciliation.

Table of Contents:
Part I: Background 1. What Is Conflict? The Definition of Conflict The Objects of Conflict The Structure of Conflict Disputes, Contests, and Conflicts Is Conflict Always Destructive? Conflict, Aggression, Violence Part II: Conflict and Conflict Resolution in the Contemporary World 2. Small Group and Interpersonal Conflict Trends in Small-Scale Conflict Entangled Conflicts Violence in Small Group and Interpersonal Conflict Conflict Resolution at Ground Level 3. Large-Scale Societal Conflict Discordant Societies The Increasing Complexity of Major Societal Conflicts Violent and Peaceful Transformations Conflict Resolution at the National Level 4. International Conflict A World of Conflicts The Growing Complexity of International Conflicts The Relative Decline of International Violence An Increasing International Repertory of Conflict Resolution Processes Part III: The Causes of Conflict 5. Is Conflict Behaviour Rational? What Is Rational Behaviour? Liberal Economics and Conflict Two Examples of the Rational Choice Theory in Conflict Studies Game Theory Critiques of the Rational Choice Approach 6. Are Conflicts Driven by Biological Needs? Biological Roots of Human Conflict Population, Resources, and Conflict A Biological Approach to Emotions Complex Adaptive Systems 7. The Psychology of Conflict Psychoanalysis Behaviourism Personality and Conflict Social Psychology and Conflict 8. Conflict as a Social Outcome Political Power and Conflict Economic and Class Conflict Social Change and Conflict Cultures, Identity, and Conflict Gender and Conflict 9. Recent Philosophical Approaches to Conflict The Philosophical Tradition Critical Theory Postmodernism Relations between Self and Other Mimetic Theory: The Contribution of René Girard Part IV: Conflict Resolution 10. How People Behave in Conflict Behavioural Approaches Levels of Consciousness Tactics Communication Conflict Escalation 11. Processes for Dealing with Conflict Addressing Conflict Negotiation Conciliation Group Intervention Processes Mediation Arbitration Adjudication Authoritative Allocation Traditional Processes Modern Conflict Resolution Systems Unusual Methods of Conflict Resolution 12. The Prevention and Resolution of Violent Conflict Diplomacy The Rise of Negotiated Peace Settlements Contemporary Peace Agreements Peace Missions Coercive Actions and Peace: Chapter VII and Beyond Peacebuilding Confidence-Building Measures Disarmament and Arms Control 13. Reconciliation Etymologies Approaches to Reconciliation The Complexity of Reconciliation Reconciliation as a Goal Reconciliation as a Process Case Studies of Reconciliation Part V: Ethical Issues 14. Conflict, Violence, and Ethics? Values, Principles, and Goals Ethical Drivers of Conflict The Just War Tradition 15. What Role Does Justice Play? Justice and Conflict Origins of Justice Just Institutions Justice in Context Aspects of an Unjust Action Paradigms of Justice Mercy, Pardon, and Forgiveness 16. What Is the Relationship Between Conflict and Peace? Definitions of Peace Peace as an Orientation Non-violence Peace Research and Peace Education Peace Challenges Critical Reflections 17. Ethics and Conflict Specialists Ethical Vision Reflective/Reflexive Practice Deontological Moments Moral Dilemmas

About the Author :
Dr Jean-Francois Rioux is an associate professor in the Department of Conflict Studies at Saint Paul University. He's written extensively on conflict studies, Canadian foreign policy, and armed conflicts, including two books in French and one in English. Dr Vern Neufeld Redekop is an associate professor in the Department of Conflict Studies at Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario. He has written numerous articles, papers, and contributed chapters on conflict studies and resolution, and has published three books on the subject.

Review :
"This text covers an impressive amount of intellectual ground. . . . The authors have capably presented both the unity and diversity of conflict studies." --Nathan Funk, University of Waterloo "The book covers a vast array of theoretical literature and would be very useful for someone coming to the subject matter for the first time." --Paul Gecelovsky, University of Western Ontario