Culture and Conflict

Beyond Intractability: A Free Knowledge Base on More Constructive Approaches to Destructive Conflict

Culture and Conflict

	Culture and Conflict People from different cultures often have such radically different worldviews that what seems like common sense to one side, is anything but sensible to the other. Different cultures and worldviews can lead to completely different understandings or frames of a conflict, making resolution a challenge.
	Culture-Based Negotiation Styles In Asian, Canadian, and U.S. cultures, touching outside of intimate situations is discouraged. But, Mediterranean, Arab, and Latin American cultures allow more touching. Cultural differences like this can cause problems in cross-cultural negotiations. Such differences are explored in this essay.
	Rituals and Conflict Transformation This article describes the importance of rituals in conflict resolution -- both in traditional societies and also in modern societies, such as that of the U.S. Rituals are a way of expressing and dealing with strong emotions and values; they provide security and a familiar, comfortable way of dealing with difficult conflicts or disputes.
	Cross-Cultural Communication Even with all the good will in the world, miscommunication is likely to happen, especially when there are significant cultural differences between communicators. Miscommunication may lead to conflict, or aggravate conflict that already exists.
	Communication Tools for Understanding Cultural Differences Edward T. Hall writes that for us to understand each other may mean, "reorganizing [our] thinking...and few people are willing to risk such a radical move." This essay offers strategies for improving cross-cultural communication.
	Mediation and Multiculturalism In this essay, the author discusses his experiences with multicultural mediation and suggests ways that mediators can avoid misunderstandings.
	Special Affinities and Conflict Resolution: West African Social Institutions and Mediation This essay describes a particular kind of interpersonal relationship common in West Africa called "joking kinship." This relationship has importance for conflict resolution and transformation in that region and has further implications for the way trainers and intervenors work in cultures different from the ones they are familiar with.
	Cultural and Worldview Frames Intractable conflict is inextricably bound up with who we see ourselves to be and what meaning we make of the world. Many intractable conflicts occur when people feel their identities or worldviews are threatened.
	Women and Intractable Conflict Women tend to be victimized more and gain less from intractable conflict than do men. Thus, women may be in a particularly strong position to work for peace.

A crisis is a turning point. -- Anne Lindthorst

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Organizations Making Noteworthy Contributions to Efforts to Promote More Constructive Conflict

International Conflict Research

Other Resources from
Beyond Intractability

Taming Intractable Conflicts
The trick for the mediator is identifying what conflicts it pays to become involved in, how to go about it, and when. Crocker et al. explore some limitations and pitfalls for mediators and go on to suggest how they may most effectively contribute at different stages of the conflict.

Nobel Peace Prize Winners

Joseph Rotblat
Prominent opponent of nuclear weaponry, and 1995 Nobel Peace Laureate

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