Beyond Intractability: A Free Knowledge Base on More Constructive Approaches to Destructive Conflict
Democracy and Conflict Management
In the U.S.
Democratic processes are, in effect, one form of conflict management, where decisions are made by the electoral, legislative, and judicial processes. Two project participants discuss the importance of these processes, and observe problems that seem to be arising in American democracy.
Laura Chasin suggests that the degeneration of public discourse poses a threat to democracy.
Frank Dukes talks about the importance of public participation in conflict resolution processes.
In Post-Conflict Situations
Issues of democracy and conflict management are quite different in newly-forming democracies, as the following comments illustrate.
Terrence Lyons suggests that in post-conflict settings, there are risks associated both with premature elections and with waiting too long to hold elections.
Ray Shonholtz describes how his organization, Partners for Democratic Change, works to help newly-establishing democracies.
Terrence Lyons talks about the tension between maintaining stability and addressing past injustice in post-conflict reconstruction and democratization processes.
Ozell Sutton discusses the nature of power and authority.
This rough transcript provides a text alternative to audio. We apologize for occasional errors and unintelligible sections (which are marked with ???).
Don't ever let them pull you down so low as to hate them. (also cited as: I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.) -- Booker T. Washington
Featured Links Organizations Making Noteworthy Contributions to Efforts to Promote More Constructive Conflict CPR Network
Other Resources from Beyond Intractability Reporting on Conflict A guide for reporters showing how they can get the most out of Beyond Intractability. Includes a list of experts available for interviews.
Nobel Peace Prize Winners
Nelson Mandela Prominent figure in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, and 1993 Nobel Peace Laureate
The Beyond Intractability Knowledge Base Project Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess, Co-Directors and Editors c/o Conflict Information Consortium(Formerly Conflict Research Consortium), University of Colorado Campus Box 580, Boulder, CO 80309 Phone: (303) 492-1635; Fax: (303) 492-2154; Contact
