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The Beyond Intractability initiative is based on the realization that society's big (and not so big) problems are largely governance and conflict-handling problems. Inadequate processes routinely undermine society's ability to successfully analyze problems, develop options for dealing with those problems, and then select and implement the options that are most effective, equitable, and efficient.

The problems that lead to governance and conflict failures are deep-rooted and go far beyond the immediate processes that yield flawed decisions. Such failures are ultimately attributable to the inability of society's larger decision-making processes to set the stage for good governance by providing basic security and fostering mutually supportive relationships. This initiative addresses these issues in addition to more conventional governance and conflict topics associated with the promotion of wise and legitimate political decisions. Examples of most some of the more obvious ongoing problems include:

	Violence, War, Oppression --- The inability to resolve disputes in ways that avoid highly destructive violent confrontations as well as the intergroup hatred that underlies less obvious structural violence and the oppression of one group by another.
	Grossly Inequitable Distribution of Wealth --- Policies that lead to the distribution of wealth that grossly exceeds anything justifiable by the incentive structure of market economies.
	Tragedies of the Commons --- Unsustainable policies for managing public resources that preference short-term, self-centerred interests over policies that protect the interests of others and future generations.
	Stalemate / Paralysis --- Cases where the political governance processes are so stalemated that they can't produce any decision.
	Failed States --- Social, economic, and political systems incapable of meeting the most basic needs of their populations.
	Unwise Decisions --- Situations in which governance processes are based on such a poor understanding of the problem and potential solutions that decisions made will not have the desired outcome.